@article{ref1,
title="The Mediterranean diet and ADHD in children and adolescents",
journal="Pediatrics",
year="2017",
author="Ríos-Hernández, Alejandra and Alda, José A. and Farran-Codina, Andreu and Ferreira-García, Estrella and Izquierdo-Pulido, Maria",
volume="139",
number="2",
pages="e20162027-e20162027",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been related to nutrient deficiencies and &quot;unhealthy&quot; diets, to date there are no studies that examined the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and ADHD. We hypothesized that a low adherence to a Mediterranean diet would be positively associated with an increase in ADHD diagnosis. <br><br>METHODS: A total of 120 children and adolescents (60 with newly diagnosed ADHD and 60 controls) were studied in a sex- and age-matched case-control study. ADHD diagnosis was made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Energy, dietary intake, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, and familial background were measured. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between the adherence to a Mediterranean diet and ADHD. <br><br>RESULTS: Lower adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with ADHD diagnosis (odds ratio: 7.07; 95% confidence interval: 2.65-18.84; relative risk: 2.80; 95% confidence interval: 1.54-5.25). Both remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders. Lower frequency of consuming fruit, vegetables, pasta, and rice and higher frequency of skipping breakfast and eating at fast-food restaurants were associated with ADHD diagnosis (P <.05). High consumption of sugar, candy, cola beverages, and noncola soft drinks (P <.01) and low consumption of fatty fish (P <.05) were also associated with a higher prevalence of ADHD diagnosis. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: 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 &quot;specific nutrients&quot; but also the &quot;whole diet&quot; should be considered in ADHD.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0031-4005",
doi="10.1542/peds.2016-2027",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2027"
}