THE EFFECT OF DIETARY APPROACHES TO STOP HYPERTENSION (DASH) DIET ON THE ATTENTION DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) AMONG CHILDREN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background and Aim: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in school aged children. Therefore the present randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to examine the effect of DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet compared to control diet in children with ADHD.Methods: Eighty six children with ADHD, aged 6–12 years, were randomized to receive DASH diet and control diet, for 12 weeks. Participants visited each month, in order to determine the severity of ADHD based on Abbreviated ten item Conner’s Scale (ACS), 18-item ADHD rating scale (ARS) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and to assess the anthropometric indices, physical activity and dietary compliance rates. Diet compliance was assessed using three-day dietary records, which were completed by parent.Results: Eighty children completed the study (40 in each group). No significant difference was found in any of the measured variables tested before intervention in both study groups. After adjustment for age and gender, the results showed that the mean of scores changes in the DASH group and control group were significant in teacher and parent ratings on the ACS and teacher, parent and children ratings on the SDQ. Based on the 24-hour recall, the mean changes between two groups in dietary intakes of vitamin C (p = 0.002) and dietary fiber (p = 0.000) were significant.Conclusion: In summary, consumption of the DASH eating pattern for 12 week may reduce symptoms in children with ADHD. Future studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these results.

کلیدواژه ها:

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension ، Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ، Children ، Diet