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Evaluation of dietary intake in children and college students with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
This 2019 study checked whether people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those without ADHD eat enough. Participants included children aged between 7 and 12 years old (with and without ADHD), and college students aged between 18 and 25 years old (with and without ADHD). In both groups, there was no evidence to suggest that those with ADHD consumed less than those without (control group) or vice versa. However, most subjects did not eat enough vitamin D and potassium. Interestingly, the children mostly met the nutrient consumption guidelines. Whereas university students failed to meet these guidelines for 9 different nutrients. For the child participants of this study, several statistics were found linking amino acid consumption with ADHD incidence. Having more aspartate and glycine in the diet were both associated with increased risk of ADHD, while consuming higher amounts of glutamate reduced the chances of having the disorder. But there was no significant association between the amino acids and ADHD among the young adults. The study demonstrated that consumption levels of amino acids (which are involved in the transmission of nerve impulses) differed by ADHD status in children. Future research may investigate whether amino acids have a modulatory role in ADHD. [NPID: ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, children, young adults, students, nutrition, diet, vitamins, guidelines, nutrients, amino acids, potassium]
Year: 2019
