The danger of fad diets

Dietary interventions as part of treatment for children with psychological symptoms.

Nutrition is becoming increasingly recognised for its important role in maintaining optimal health and wellbeing. While there are positives to supporting healthy eating practices, there is a worrying trend towards people taking up fad diets and using dietary supplements that are not medically or scientifically sound. Of particular concern is the growing interest in fad diets and supplements for children with psychological disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.

Nutritional interventions are often perceived as being harmless, risk-free and natural, especially when compared with pharmaceutical options. However, many diets, such as the Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) diet, eliminate whole food groups and can result in serious nutritional deficiencies as well as lower quality of life.

Researchers explored whether psychologists have a role in the uptake of nutritional interventions for children with psychological disorders through an anonymous survey. Of those who responded to the survey, nearly all held favourable attitudes towards nutritional interventions, and many reported they would be likely to incorporate a nutritional intervention into the treatment of a child presenting for psychological therapy.

The GAPS diet, although a fad diet lacking empirical support, was one of the most widely endorsed of the diets and supplements in the survey. The results highlight the importance of ensuring psychology training programs support graduates to critically evaluate the evidence for therapeutic interventions to ensure the best outcomes for clients.

https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2021.1944788