Researchers interested in these biosocial/biomedical approaches to offender rehabilitation have identified at least six primary syndrome areas. These areas include: (1) hypoglycemia, (2) vitamin and mineral deficiencies or dependencies, (3) cerebral allergies and addictions, (4) environmental contaminants, (5) minimal brain dysfunction, and (6) neuro-regulator imbalances (Schoenthaler, 1983a). After extensive analysis of the literature in these six areas, Hippchen (1976), Schauss (1980), and Schoenthaler (1982) came to the conclusion that hypoglycemia - induced by a diet which is high in sugar and/or refined carbohydrates - may account for the largest proportion of antisocial behavior which can be controlled by diet.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can be caused by a variety of conditions such as endocrine system malfunctions, adverse reactions to a particular food, and the consumption of high quantities of sugar. While hypoglycemia is often caused by physiological problems, research suggests that poor eating patterns are the primary cause of low blood sugar (Schoenthaler, 1983a).

As Schoenthaler (1985) clearly illustrates, the link between violence/delinquency and hypoglycemia can be grounded in basic human physiology. First of all, blood sugar (glucose) is the only nutrient which the brain can convert into energy. As glucose levels fall, the available brain energy will fall correspondingly, due to impaired neuronal firing. Therefore, due to diminished brain functioning, people with low blood sugar would have a lowered capacity to think clearly before acting and may have difficulty controlling their violent emotions.

As Schauss (1980) points out, many such biochemical disturbances can be attributed to our modern day diet of junk foods. In 1971, the United States had the "distinction" of becoming the first people on earth to consume processed foods for more than 50 percent of their diet. Over 4,000 additives can now be found in the American food supply, none of which have ever been tested thoroughly for their effects on our central nervous system (Schauss, 1980). We have become a nation of coffee and soda pop drinkers, fast food consumers, and refined carbohydrate junkies, without regard to their disastrous consequences, particularly on our children. Less than 50 years ago hyperactive children were a rarity. Today the incidence of hyperactivity and learning disability is higher in the United States than in any other country in the world (Schauss, 1980).

In support of the diet and delinquency hypothesis, several studies have successfully shown reductions in antisocial behavior by reducing sucrose consumption in numerous juvenile correctional institutions. In fact, as of 1983, at least nine separate institutions in three states had found that the behavior of their juveniles improved significantly after the elimination of high sugar "junk foods" in scientifically controlled studies (Schoenthaler, 1983b). In one study, for example, Schoenthaler and Doraz (1983) found that during the 12 months when the juveniles received a nutritionally superior diet, the incidence of assault was lowered 82%; theft was lowered 77%; general rule violations were lowered 23%; and fighting was lowered 13%.

From the vast amount of literature on the subject, one can safely theorize that a definite relationship exists between diet and delinquency, although the degree of this relationship may be quite arguable. It is this gray area which this paper will focus upon. While numerous experimental procedures have been carried out in correctional institutions, there seems to be little or no data relating to how accurately and consistently a poor diet will correlate with delinquent/antisocial behavior in the general population. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which individuals with poor nutrition consequently exhibit delinquent/antisocial tendencies.

Subjects

Materials

Procedure

Scores were then tabulated for each Nutrition-Behavior Inventory. Those subjects scoring over 50 were considered to have nutritionally linked factors affecting their health and behavior and, therefore, considered to have a generally poor diet. A delinquency score was then assessed for each subject. Thus, each subject had both a nutrition score and a delinquency score in the final analysis. These scores were then correlated to determine the extent to which the subjects' diets influenced their degree of delinquency.

Despite the low degree of correlation found in this study, research should continue to examine the possible dietary influences on delinquency. Perhaps a future study might yield significant results if it were to use a more definitive measure for the quality of subjects' diets. Future research should also focus on the time factor involved, insuring that subjects' present-day quality of diet is examined with regards to their present-day delinquency - not delinquent acts that may be years old and which have not been repeated since. Research should also be continued with regards to reductions in delinquent/antisocial behavior which have been demonstrated in correctional institutions, especially juvenile institutions. The results of this study, from a sample of undergraduate psychology students, in no way diminishes the significance of the numerous findings which have been found to be applicable to the delinquent/antisocial individual. Adjustments in diet have proven beneficial for many such individuals and could, undoubtedly, benefit many others who are, unfortunately, naive to such possibilities.