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Diet quality, nutrient adequacy, and symptom associations in ADHD: A case-control study of Australian adolescents
Understanding the role of nutrition in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is crucial, given the limited existing evidence. This investigation focused on the adherence to healthy dietary patterns, specifically evaluating how these patterns influence symptom severity and cognitive abilities in Australian adolescents diagnosed with ADHD.
The research used a case-control design involving 39 participants aged 13 to 18 years, comprising 18 adolescents with ADHD and 21 healthy controls. Key dietary assessments included Mediterranean diet adherence (measured by KIDMED), energy-adjusted nutrient intakes, and an evaluation of nutrient adequacy against prescribed nutrient reference values (NRVs). Researchers explored correlations between dietary factors and self-reported ADHD symptoms (using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) and cognitive performance (assessed by the Test of Variables of Attention), while also analyzing the combined (ADHD-C) and inattentive (ADHD-I) subtypes.
Results indicated that while dietary variables and nutritional adequacy levels did not show significant differences between the ADHD group and controls, there was a notable increase in sweets consumption among those with ADHD (p = .002). The study identified group × age interactions for KIDMED, magnesium, and iron, as well as a group × gender interaction regarding beta-carotene. The strongest correlations emerged between cognitive performance and KIDMED and vitamin B12 (both positive), whereas omega-6:omega-3 ratios were negatively correlated. Additionally, a significant relationship was found between KIDMED adherence and ADHD symptoms (negative correlation). Notably, the ADHD-C subtype displayed a higher compliance with NRVs than the ADHD-I subtype, with rates of 69.2% compared to 38.5%, respectively (p = .014).
In conclusion, despite minimal dietary differences between the groups, the observed associations with symptoms and cognitive performance underscore the importance of dietary factors in ADHD management. Future research with larger cohorts is necessary to delve deeper into the impact of nutritional factors, particularly examining how age, gender, and ADHD subtype might modulate these effects. [NPID: ADHD, diet, cognition]
Year: 2026
