ADHD and the Western diet

Posted by on August 23rd, 2010 | Comments off

A study published online in the international Journal of Attention Disorders examines the possible link between ADHD and a ‘Western-style’ diet in children.

The study was conducted by Perth’s Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Australia. The researchers found that a diet typically consumed in the Western world consisting of ‘fast foods,’ sugar/corn syrup, processed meats and flour, fried, and refined foods nearly doubled the risk of an ADHD diagnosis. This Western diet is rich in total fat, saturated fat, refined sugar and sodium.

“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. 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 research, 115 adolescents had been diagnosed with ADHD, 91 boys and 24 girls,” says Associate Professor Wendy Oddy.

The Perth researchers analyzed the dietary patterns of 1800 youth and separated them as having  ‘Healthy’ or ‘Western’ patterns. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fish was designated as a healthy pattern.

Dr. Oddy added, “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. 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 colors, flavors 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.”

Of note, the scientists were unable to determine if poor diet causes ADHD or ADHD leads to poor dietary choices and cravings – a problem of antecedence.  Furthermore, the researchers had to determine and adjust for social and family influences. This, in itself could greatly skew final data. 

The British have performed similar studies examining the role of refined or processed foods and ADHD.  Certain food colorings were found to influence hyperactivity.  Knowing this, in addition to research that indicates better cognitive function through better diet, it would be wise to greatly reduce or totally extinguish consumption of fast food, refined and processed foods, etc. if one wishes to maximize one’s cognitive potential.

Diet alone will not solve the ADHD riddle. Cognitive training, memory training, behavioral shaping, and attention training are key ingredients to the solution.

ADHD and dropout rates

Posted by on August 2nd, 2010 | Comments off

The July issue of the Journal of Psychiatric Research reports a study by the University of California, Davis. The researchers examined whether ADHD could be predictive of failure to graduate high school on time.

When the UC Davis scientists reviewed different types of ADHD, they found all of the types of ADHD are associated with a high dropout rate.

"The study found almost a third (33%) of students with ADHD, don’t graduate with their peers. That’s high compared with the national high school drop out rate of 15 percent. High school dropout rate really is a national crisis. We know that a third of kids nationally who start in ninth grade don’t graduate in four years," says  lead study author Dr. Joshua Breslau.

The researchers conducted structured diagnostic interviews with a US national sample of adults (18 and over). The interview process also correlated smoking and smokeless tobacco use. According to the National Institute of Health, nearly a 25% of high school students in the U.S. smoke cigarettes and another 8% use smokeless tobacco. The study found that students who use alcohol, smoke cigarettes and use other drugs are more at risk to drop out.

"There are really two main disorders, ADHD and conduct disorder, and there is an interlinking of smoking and drop out that is troubling…it really suggests that socioeconomic differences in health are already becoming established very early in life in adolescents…whether they smoke is probably the biggest indicator of their health in adulthood," said Breslau.

Intuitively, as parents and educators, we know this to be true. We have seen it in other families too. Intuitively we also know that we must do something as education and medicine alone fall far short.

Cognitive training, behavioral shaping, memory skills, and more must be instituted if we are to change the tide.