Dietary Interventions for Children accessing Psychological Treatment

Abstract

Advances in understanding of the microbiome-gut-brain axis, as well as associations between nutritional deficits in some psychopathology and neurodevelopmental disorders has seen an emergence of novel dietary intervention for the treatment of these conditions. This review examines literature on the evidence for a link between the microbiome and psychological health, as well as dietary interventions for children with psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders. It examines treatment potentials, gaps in current knowledge and critically explores what is known about the use of these interventions for children within psychological treatment settings. It highlights the paucity of research in the area, potential risks associated with these interventions and the need to better understand the role psychologists are playing in the perpetuating the uptake of these interventions.