Introduction

Hypoglycemia

There is some evidence that hypoglycemia could be connected to criminal and violent behavior (Bolton, 1973, 1976; Bovill, 1973; Groesbeck, D'Asaro & Nigro, 1975; Hill & Sargant, 1943; Neziroglu, 1979; Wilder, 1947; Yarura-Tobias & Neziroglu, 1975, 1981). Hill and Sargant (1943) described a murderer whose EEG showed paroxysmal features only when he became hypoglycemic. Yarura-Tobias and Neziroglu (1975) described a behavioral glucodysrhythmic syndrome among men with explosive behavior who had abnormal EEG tracings and 5-hour oral glucose tolerance tests (GGTs). EEG abnormalities and psychological changes, including temper tantrums, have also been described in patients suffering from labile diabetes or diabetes mellitus (Fabrykant & Pacella, 1948; Wilson, 1951).

Dietary differences between a group of chronic juvenile offenders and a group of behaviorally disordered students were noted by Schauss and Simonsen (1979). There is preliminary evidence that by lowering daily sucrose intake it may be possible to reduce antisocial acts among juvenile delinquents living in detention homes (Schoenthaler, 1982). At least among some hyperactive children the amount of sugar products added to nutritional foods and the ratio of carbohydrates to protein are associated with the amount of destructive aggressive behavior observed during free play at ages 4 to 7 years (Prinz, Roberts, & Hantman, 1980). In a prospective study 30–60% of hyperactive (attention-deficit disorder) children committed crimes during later years (Satterfield, Hoppe, & Schell, 1982).