Research links substance abuse with pregnant women's diets?

HMHB is just here on this blog to print published research, build awareness on issues around mental health, and also on a healthy lifestyle.  This does mean on occasions we print claims that can be only classified as "outlandish".  We will comment at the end, but have a read.

"Pregnant women who eat little or no meat are much more likely to have children that become boozers, smokers or drug users", claims a Study.  Researchers say that mums-to-be lack vitamin B12, resulting in children with poorer brain development!!

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, these mothers were almost twice as likely to have a teenager who drank heavily, or smoked cigarettes, compared with those who ate meat daily. And they were nearly three times more likely to have a child who smoked cannabis. 

The United States agency, analyzed data on 5109 British mums and their children.The Study leader, Dr. Joseph Hibbeln said vegetarians could eat food fortified with B12, including certain breakfast cereals, or take supplements.

HMHB has to say we promote responsibility and choice. Using an excuse that your mum had a bad diet in order to explain your poor choices around smoking, alcohol and/or drug taking, is not something we would be happy about. And we find these claims a little difficult to swallow.  And we are backed up by Dr. Irene Petersen from University College London, who says: "There are many other factors that determine whether a young adult drinks, smokes or takes drugs. Pregnant women do not have to eat meat to ensure a non-alcoholic teenager."