ABSTRACT
Background
Edible mushrooms have long been recognized for their nutritional value. In the Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study, a prebirth cohort study, we examined the association between maternal mushroom intake during pregnancy and risk of childhood behavioral problems in Japanese 5-year-olds.
Methods
A total of 1199 mother–child pairs were included as study subjects. In the baseline survey, dietary intake was assessed using a diet history questionnaire. In the follow-up survey, emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity problems, peer problems, and low prosocial behavior were assessed using the parent-reported version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Adjustments were made for a priori–selected non-dietary confounders and potentially related dietary factors.
Results
A significant inverse exposure–response association was observed between maternal mushroom consumption during pregnancy and risk of childhood peer problems (adjusted odds ratio [OR] between extreme quartiles, 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31–1.07, p for trend = 0.02) and low prosocial behavior (adjusted OR between extreme quartiles, 0.64; 95% CI: 0.43–0.95, p for trend = 0.02).
Conclusion
Higher maternal intake levels of mushrooms during pregnancy may be associated with a decreased risk of peer problems and a decreased risk of low prosocial behavior in 5-year-old children.
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 39, Issue 2, April 2026. Read More