Candy Causes Violence in Children

Treats May Not Be So Sweet This Halloween

October 2, 2009

Halloween may be a tad scarier this year thanks to a new British study. Researchers across the pond have spent the past four decades tracking 10-year-olds' candy intake and found that those who ate the sweet treats on a daily basis were more likely to be arrested for violent offenses than those who didn't. The scientists behind the study say that its results support the belief that those who eat healthily tend to make better behavioral decisions.

Many parents will shake this off denouncing the idea that an innocent little treat like candy could truly not be tied to violent crimes. Will you let a study like this spook you into tightening the pumpkin strings this year?

Source: Getty

7 Comments

mommyof5children 3 years 33 weeks

I agree with all the previous user comments. What mom lets their child eat sweets on a daily basis anyway? Moms that are very concerned with their children's health don't have the market cornered on well-behaved children, its just that apathetic parent tendencies tend to spill over into other areas of life, such as health. My children are well-behaved because they get correction, love, hugs, discipline, and they feel good about the good choices they make, and fix/feel sorry for the bad ones. Sugar has nothing to do with it.

starbucks 3 years 33 weeks

Wow, I call bs on that one. It's probably more like children whose parents don't teach morals don't care about nutrition either.

3 years 33 weeks

I think this is actually probably because of the REASON they were eating candy on a daily basis... They has less parental supervision/involvement.

MissSushi 3 years 33 weeks

I think this is the biggest load of garbage I've read in a long time. Letting your kids eat candy on halloween isn't going turn them into criminals.. jeez. We always ate very very well, healthy fruits, veggies, lean meats, but once the holidays rolled around we had fun and indulged. We ate candy on halloween and easter and turkey on thanksgiving. None of us are currently incarcerated...lol

3 years 33 weeks

Oh give me a break. You can maintain a healthy diet and still have a sweet treat on a daily basis. And even if the study were believable, how does "daily basis" translate to "don't give them candy on a special occasion"? My kids will get Halloween candy and they're not going to go on a murderous rampage. I agree with luckyme as well, what other factors weren't included in the study? Talk about a prime example of "correlation does not imply causation."

luckyme 3 years 33 weeks

This is ridiculous. I would like to know what other factors tie in here.

Danni99 3 years 33 weeks

If a lollipop is providing better behavioral direction to my kids than I am, they're doomed. While kids who eat nutritious snacks may be healthier physically, kids who learn how to properly moderate sweet snacks, intermingling them into a diet rich with vegetables, fruits, protiens and whole grains are going to be better off. I'm trying to teach my kids how to distinguish hunger from boredom, and important snacks as part of their 5 smalls a day from 'treats' which are okay once every day or so. I have very little worry that my kids are going to become violent criminals.

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