A recent study published in BMC Public Health has found that air pollution exposure is more strongly and consistently linked to reduced concentration among schoolgirls than diet quality. The research focused on 300 female students aged 9-12 in Tehran, an urban area known for high pollution levels.
Researchers divided participants into groups based on their exposure to air pollution and their dietary antioxidant intake, using official monitoring data and a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire completed by parents. Cognitive assessments measured both short-term memory and concentration through validated tests.
The study found that higher levels of dietary antioxidants and lower exposure to air pollution were both associated with better concentration performance. However, the association between air pollution and reduced attention was more robust across statistical models. No significant interaction or direct link was observed between these factors and short-term memory outcomes.
According to the researchers, “No statistically significant interaction between dTAC and air pollution was observed for either memory or concentration, indicating that dietary antioxidants did not measurably buffer pollution-related effects on cognition.”
Children with higher dietary antioxidant intake consumed more fruits, vitamins, and micronutrients but this did not significantly improve memory scores. The main differences in cognitive performance were seen in relation to where the children lived; those in less polluted areas demonstrated better attention scores regardless of their diet.
The study notes several strengths including the use of validated cognitive testing methods, objective measures of air pollution exposure, and adjustment for socioeconomic variables. However, limitations include its cross-sectional design, reliance on a food questionnaire adapted from adults for children, and the exclusive inclusion of female participants.
The findings suggest that while a healthy diet may offer some support for attention in polluted environments, reducing environmental pollution may be more critical for protecting cognitive function in children. Researchers recommend future studies use longitudinal approaches and child-specific assessment tools to further clarify these impacts.
