An exploratory study of diet in childhood and young adulthood and adult-onset multiple sclerosis
Lucinda J. Black, Sarah Hetherton, Michaela Forkan, Edlin Gonzales, Jessica B. Smith, Alison Daly, Robyn Lucas, Annette Langer‐Gould
Abstract
There is little evidence on the role of diet in childhood/adolescence and multiple sclerosis (MS) in adulthood. The MS Sunshine Study recruited adults with recent-onset MS ( n = 602) and matched controls ( n = 653). Of these, 84% provided dietary recall for specific ages between childhood and young adulthood (6–10, 11–15 and 16–20 years). We used logistic regression to test associations between age-specific diet and case-control status. Consumption of fruit (all ages), yoghurt (all ages) and legumes (11–15 years) was associated with lower probability of adult-onset MS (all p < 0.05). These results suggest that healthy dietary habits between childhood and young adulthood may reduce MS risk.