Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness of the overall dietary intervention rather than a single nutrient on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodsThis is a randomized controlled trial conducted at a child psychiatry clinic in Iran. Participants were 106 children and adolescents with ADHD.One group received methylphenidate plus dietary recommendations, while the other group only received methylphenidate. ADHD DSM-IV checklist was used to assess inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity scores at baseline and at the end of the trial.ResultsThe results revealed no significant difference between the two groups regarding mean age, gender ratio, body mass index, baseline inattentiveness score, and baseline hyperactivity score. Linear regression analysis considering the covariant variables showed that the inattentive score at the end of the trial was significantly associated with the mean change of favorite diet scores.ConclusionThis is the first clinical trial examining the effect of overall dietary characteristics rather than a single nutrient on the children formally diagnosed with ADHD. According to the results, un-favorite diet had no effects on inattentive or hyperactivity/impulsivity score. Encouraging the children with ADHD to increase their intake of recommended diet markedly improves their attention.Trial registrationThe trial was registered at the Iranian Clinical Trials Registry (Irct ID: IRCT201311303930N29).
Highlights
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder in children and adolescents
Another study reported that less consumption of sugar from fruit snacks increased the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [8]
None of the studies has examined the effect of sugar on ADHD, but they have assessed its association with behavioral problems and cognition [6,7]
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder in children and adolescents. Sweets and sugar are believed to be associated with ADHD symptoms [4,5]. This assumption needs to be examined since some studies have not shown any association between sugar and behavioral problems [6,7]. None of the studies has examined the effect of sugar on ADHD, but they have assessed its association with behavioral problems and cognition [6,7]. The purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness of the overall dietary intervention rather than a single nutrient on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
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