A healthier dietary pattern was associated with better cognitive outcomes in all studies , although some of the reported associations were weak and the measures used varied across the studies .
Conclusions Physical activity and healthy diets in early childhood are associated with better cognitive outcomes  in young children .
Objective Given the high prevalence of suboptimal nutrition and low activity levels in children , we systematic ally review ed the literature on the relationship between physical activity and dietary patterns and cognitive development in early childhood ( six months to five years ) .
The Effect of Early Human Diet on Caudate Volumes and IQ
Early nutrition in animals affects both behavior and brain structure . In humans , r and omized trials show that early nutrition affects later cognition , notably in males . We hypothesized that early nutrition also influences brain structure , measurable using magnetic resonance imaging . Prior research suggested that the cau date nucleus may be especially vulnerable to early environment and that its size relates to IQ . To test the hypothesis that the cau date nucleus could be a neural substrate for cognitive effects of early nutrition , we compared two groups of adolescents , assigned a St and ard- or High-nutrient diet in the postnatal weeks after preterm birth . Groups had similar birth status and neonatal course .  Scans and IQ data were obtained from 76 adolescents and volumes of several subcortical structures were calculated . The High-nutrient group had significantly larger cau date volumes and higher Verbal IQ ( VIQ ) . Cau date volumes correlated significantly with VIQ in the St and ard-nutrient group only . Cau date volume was influenced by early nutrition and related selectively to VIQ in males , but not in females . Our findings may partly explain the effects of early diet on cognition and the predominant effects in males . They are among the first to show that human brain structure can be influenced by early nutrition
A healthier dietary pattern was associated with better cognitive outcomes in all studies , although some of the reported associations were weak and the measures used varied across the studies .
Conclusions Physical activity and healthy diets in early childhood are associated with better cognitive outcomes  in young children .
Objective Given the high prevalence of suboptimal nutrition and low activity levels in children , we systematic ally review ed the literature on the relationship between physical activity and dietary patterns and cognitive development in early childhood ( six months to five years ) .