My research proposal

 

Much research has been conducted in the past few years on the effect of carbohydrate intake on cognitive/behavioral outcomes. Due to a rise in mental health disorders and an increase in the prevalence of obesity in the United States, it can be postulated that an influx in the supply of calorically-dense processed foods has attributed to the health concerns Americans face today.  Subsequently, high calorie foods, specifically the intake of refined sugars, has lead to physiological disturbances that result from increased insulin production, increased levels of tryptophan and raised levels of brain serotonin that which result in an increased state of drowsiness, decreased alertness, and a decrease in vigorous activity (Hortan & Yates, 1987).

As stated by the Office of the Surgeon General, “behavioral and environmental factors are large contributors to overweight and obesity, and provide the greatest opportunity for actions and interventions designed for prevention and treatment.”  Environmental factors that can contribute to the obesity epidemic include the home, school, work and community settings, which have been shown to have an influence on our eating behaviors.  When eating behaviors become negative attributions for individuals in our society, and when   they begin to have a direct effect on the state of health in the United States, it can be ascertained that the result might lead to negative mental health behaviors.  Hence, the question arises regarding if poor nutrition habits has caused an increase in mental health disorders or if an increase in the number of mental health disorders has stimulated poor nutrition choices.  

In addition to the rise in the obesity epidemic, as stated earlier an increase in the number of mental health disorders has been prevalent as well. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009). Examples of mental health disorders include mood disorders, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and Alzheimer’s disease.  Such disorders can have a nutrition-related component in the appropriate treatment program. For example, the mental health disorder autism has been researched lately, specifically the effect of a gluten-free casein-free diet on behavioral outcomes.  Research has shown that following a gluten-free diet has resulted in positive behavioral and cognitive outcomes. I feel strongly that the link between the food we ingest, specifically gluten, and cognitive and physically manifestations cannot be ignored.  It is now day 4 on a gluten-free diet and I am feeling more attentive and most definitely more energetic. Coincidence? We will soon find out!