Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Linked to Lower Risk of ADHD

While previous research has suggested a link between ADHD and “unhealthy” diets, no studies have examined the relationship between adherence to MD and risk of ADHD.

In a study of 120 children and adolescents, 60 of whom were newly diagnosed with ADHD, researchers measured participants’ energy, dietary intake, adherence to MD, and familial background, and used logistic regression to determine associations between the diet and ADHD.
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Overall, lower adherence to MD was associated with ADHD diagnosis (odds ratio: 7.07). Lower consumption of fruit, vegetables, pasta, and rice and higher frequency of skipping breakfast and consuming fast food was associated with ADHD, as was high consumption of sugar, candy, cola, and non-cola soft drinks.

“Although these cross-sectional associations do not establish causality, they raise the question of whether low adherence to a Mediterranean diet might play a role in ADHD development. Our data support the notion that not only “specific nutrients” but also the “whole diet” should be considered in ADHD,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Rios-Hernandez A, Alda JA, Farran-Codina A, et al. The Mediterranean diet and ADHD in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 139(2).