Western diet link to ADHD

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Western diet link to ADHD

29 July, 2010

http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/media/1185

A new study from Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

shows an association between ADHD and a 'Western-style' diet in

adolescents.

The research findings have just been published online in the

international /Journal of Attention Disorders/.

Leader of Nutrition studies at the Institute, Associate Professor

Oddy, said the study examined the dietary patterns of 1800 adolescents

from the long-term Raine Study and classified diets into 'Healthy' or

'Western' patterns.

" We found a diet high in the Western pattern of foods was associated

with more than double the risk of having an ADHD diagnosis compared with

a diet low in the Western pattern, after adjusting for numerous other

social and family influences, " Dr Oddy said.

" We looked at the dietary patterns amongst the adolescents and compared

the diet information against whether or not the adolescent had received

a diagnosis of ADHD by the age of 14 years. In our study, 115

adolescents had been diagnosed with ADHD, 91 boys and 24 girls. "

A " healthy " pattern is a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole

grains and fish. It tends to be higher in omega-3 fatty acids, folate

and fibre. A " Western " pattern is a diet with a trend towards takeaway

foods, confectionary, processed, fried and refined foods. These diets

tend to be higher in total fat, saturated fat, refined sugar and sodium.

" When we looked at specific foods, having an ADHD diagnosis was

associated with a diet high in takeaway foods, processed meats, red

meat, high fat dairy products and confectionary, " Dr Oddy said.

" We suggest that a Western dietary pattern may indicate the adolescent

has a less optimal fatty acid profile, whereas a diet higher in omega-3

fatty acids is thought to hold benefits for mental health and optimal

brain function.

" It also may be that the Western dietary pattern doesn't provide enough

essential micronutrients that are needed for brain function,

particularly attention and concentration, or that a Western diet might

contain more colours, flavours and additives that have been linked to an

increase in ADHD symptoms. It may also be that impulsivity, which is a

characteristic of ADHD, leads to poor dietary choices such as quick

snacks when hungry. "

Dr Oddy said that whilst this study suggests that diet may be implicated

in ADHD, more research is needed to determine the nature of the

relationship.

" This is a cross-sectional study so we cannot be sure whether a poor

diet leads to ADHD or whether ADHD leads to poor dietary choices and

cravings, " Dr Oddy said.

ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood mental health disorder and

has a prevalence of approximately 5%. ADHD is known to be more common

in boys.

--ENDS--

*

About the Raine Study*

The Raine Study is jointly conducted by the Telethon Institute for Child

Health Research and The School of Women's and Infant's Health at the

University of Western Australia. The study started in 1989, when 2900

pregnant women were recruited into a research study at King

Memorial Hospital to examine ultrasound imaging. The mothers were

assessed during pregnancy and information was collected on the mother

and the father, for example diet, exercise, work, health, etc. After the

children were born, they were assessed at birth, at one year, then two,

three and five years of age. Further follow-ups of the cohort have been

conducted at eight, ten, fourteen, seventeen and now twenty years of age.

Find out more at www.rainestudy.org.au <http://www.rainestudy.org.au>

*Media contact:*

Tammy Gibbs

08 9489 7963 or 0408 946 698

tammyg@...

Last updated 29 July 2010