The effect of dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: The dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet have several components like high amounts of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and vitamin C and low amounts of simple sugars that might improve attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. We aimed to investigate the effect of a DASH diet on children (aged 6–12 years) with ADHD, for the first time. Methods: Participants were randomized to receive a DASH or a control diet for 12 weeks. The severity of ADHD symptoms [determined by abbreviated 10-item Conner's scale (ACS), 18-item Swanson, Nolan and Pelham (SNAP-IV) scale and strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)] were assessed every four weeks. Results: Eighty children completed the study. After adjustment for confounders, parent (− 4.71 for the DASH group vs. − 3 for the control group) and teacher-reported (− 5.35 vs. − 1.87) ACS scores, parent-, teacher-, child-reported hyperactivity (− 1.40 vs. − 0.66, − 1.95 vs. -0.63, − 1.60 vs. − 0.43, respectively), emotional symptoms (− 1.50 vs. − 0.45, − 1.42 vs. − 0.63, and − 1.09 vs. − 0.61, respectively), and total SDQ scores (− 3.81 vs. − 1.65, − 4.11 vs. − 1.23, − 4.44 vs. − 1.26, respectively), teacher-reported of conduct problems (− 1.42 vs. − 0.63), peer relationship problems (− 0.87 vs. − 0.07), and prosocial behaviors (1.36 vs. 0.08) assessed by the SDQ were significantly improved in the DASH group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Adherence to a DASH-style diet might improve ADHD symptoms. Further RCTs which include participants from both sexes and with longer follow-up periods are needed to warrant current findings (The trial registration code: IRCT20130223012571N6; http://irct.ir/trial/12623). Trial registration Trial registration number: The trial was registered in the Iranian registry of clinical trials (registration code: IRCT20130223012571N6), URL: http://irct.ir/trial/12623. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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