Based on the biosocial theoretical perspective, this study seeks to incorporate the biological sciences in explaining maladaptive behaviors that predict criminal activity. More specifically, this study examines how dietary intake can influence the externalizing problem behaviors of adolescents. While the relationship between nutrition and physiological functioning has been well established, research examining diet modification as a preventative strategy for decreasing aggression and, thus, potentially mitigating subsequent crime is still relatively new. This study finds that the consumption of soda/juice drinks and fast food significantly increases the probability of externalizing problem behaviors within adolescents. Meanwhile, the consumption of green salads significantly decreases this likelihood. This work supports the provision of nutritional and supplemental aid to children in need, and suggests that early nutrition-based intervention can be an effective and low-cost solution to treating children exhibiting those behaviors shown to predict criminal activity. This work also provides evidence supporting a biological approach to understanding crime causation and validates the presence and usefulness of the biosocial theories within criminology.
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