Arvidsson et al., BMC Public Health, Dec 2017; DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4920-5.
This study followed a group of 2 to 9 year children in 8 European countries (IDEFICS Study in Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain and Sweden). A higher score on a dietary quality scale (the Healthy Dietary Adherence Score or HDAS) at the beginning of the study was associated with better self-esteem and fewer emotional and peer problems 2 years later (when controlling for socioeconomic status and body weight).