Kind Kids, Healthy Teens: Child Prosociality and Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Abstract

Introduction: Prosocial behaviors (i.e., being kind, caring, and cooperative) are believed to shape health and well-being starting in childhood. Yet, limited research has examined their long-term impact on health outcomes later in life. This study examined associations between childhood prosocial behaviors and fruit and vegetable consumption patterns across adolescence. Methods: Participants were from the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study (N=6,265). Caregivers reported children's prosocial behaviors using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at ages 5 (2005–2007), 7 (2007–2009), and 11 (2011–2013) years. In 2024, Poisson regression was conducted to assess the associations between prosocial behaviors at age 5 years and sustained healthy levels of self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption across ages 14 (2014–2016) and 17 (2017–2019) years, defined as eating ≥2 portions of each daily. To evaluate heterogeneity by developmental stage, secondary analyses considered associations with prosocial behaviors at ages 7 and 11 years. All analyses adjusted for relevant confounders. Results: More engagement in prosocial behaviors at age 5 years was associated with a greater likelihood of sustaining healthy fruit and vegetable consumption over time (adjusted prevalence ratio per 1 SD=1.14; 95% CI=1.02, 1.27). Comparable associations were observed with prosocial behaviors at ages 7 (adjusted prevalence ratio per 1 SD=1.12; 95% CI=1.03, 1.23) and 11 (adjusted prevalence ratio per 1 SD=1.13; 95% CI=1.03, 1.24) years. Conclusions: Greater engagement in prosocial behaviors was related to healthy fruit and vegetable consumption patterns across adolescence with comparable associations when prosocial behaviors were measured at ages 5, 7, and 11 years. These findings suggest fostering prosociality throughout childhood may be a novel intervention strategy to promote healthy eating.