Abstract
The dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet have several components like high amounts of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and vitamin C and low amounts of simple sugars that might improve attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. We aimed to investigate the effect of a DASH diet on children (aged 6-12years) with ADHD, for the first time. Participants were randomized to receive a DASH or a control diet for 12weeks. The severity of ADHD symptoms [determined by abbreviated 10-item Conner's scale (ACS), 18-item Swanson, Nolan and Pelham (SNAP-IV) scale and strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)] were assessed every four weeks. Eighty children completed the study. After adjustment for confounders, parent (- 4.71 for the DASH group vs. - 3 for the control group) and teacher-reported (- 5.35 vs. - 1.87) ACS scores, parent-, teacher-, child-reported hyperactivity (- 1.40 vs. - 0.66, - 1.95 vs. -0.63, - 1.60 vs. - 0.43, respectively), emotional symptoms (- 1.50 vs. - 0.45, - 1.42 vs. - 0.63, and - 1.09 vs. - 0.61, respectively), and total SDQ scores (- 3.81 vs. - 1.65, - 4.11 vs. - 1.23, - 4.44 vs. - 1.26, respectively), teacher-reported of conduct problems (- 1.42 vs. - 0.63), peer relationship problems (- 0.87 vs. - 0.07), and prosocial behaviors (1.36 vs. 0.08) assessed by the SDQ were significantly improved in the DASH group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Adherence to a DASH-style diet might improve ADHD symptoms. Further RCTs which include participants from both sexes and with longer follow-up periods are needed to warrant current findings (The trial registration code: IRCT20130223012571N6; http://irct.ir/trial/12623 ). Trial registration Trial registration number: The trial was registered in the Iranian registry of clinical trials (registration code: IRCT20130223012571N6), URL: http://irct.ir/trial/12623 .
Highlights
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), defined as functional impairment due to persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in schoolaged children [1]
After adjustment for age, sex, energy intake, and baseline values significant group effects were observed for parent-reported abbreviated 10-item Conner’s scale (ACS) score, children-reported emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems, and parent-reported scores of prosocial behaviors based on the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) scale (Pgroup
Significant group*time effects were indicated in teacher-reported ACS score, teacher-reported Hyperactivity and impulsivity, and parent-reported combined score based on SNAP-IV, and teacher/child-reported scores for hyperactivity, parent and teacher-reported scores of emotional symptoms, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behavior, and teacher/parent/childreported total SDQ score (Pgroup*time
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), defined as functional impairment due to persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in schoolaged children [1]. Different dietary interventions including restriction and elimination diets (the removal of food colors and other additives, sugars, and sweeteners), few food diets, as well as supplementation of essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals are investigated for their possible effect on children with ADHD [9]. The dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet has several components that might improve attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. This randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) aimed to investigate the effect of the DASH diet on ADHD symptoms in children, for the first time
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