Logo image
Back
Diet quality, nutrient adequacy, and symptom associations in ADHD: A case-control study of Australian adolescents
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Diet quality, nutrient adequacy, and symptom associations in ADHD: A case-control study of Australian adolescents

Naomi Lewis, Jacob M. Levenstein and Anthony Villani
Nutritional Psychiatry, Vol.2, pp.1-11
2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nupsyc.2026.100017
Appears in  Thompson Institute Research Collection
pdf
1-s2.0-S3051156926000122-main1.43 MBDownloadView
Published Version Open Access CC BY V4.0

Abstract

ADHD adolescents diet quality Mediterranean diet micronutrients nutrient adequacy omega-3s Thompson Institute Special Collection General mental health and psychology
Introduction Nutrition may influence attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom severity however evidence is limited. This study examined adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, nutrient intakes, and associations with symptoms and cognitive performance in Australian adolescents with ADHD. Methods This case-control study included 39 adolescents (18 ADHD; 21 healthy controls) aged 13-18 years. Groups were compared on dietary variables including Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence (KIDMED) and energy-adjusted nutrient intakes, and on nutrient adequacy against nutrient reference values (NRVs). Associations between dietary variables and self-reported ADHD symptoms (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) and cognitive performance (Test of Variables of Attention) were examined. Combined (ADHD-C) and inattentive (ADHD-I) subtypes were also analysed. Results Dietary variables and nutritional adequacy did not significantly differ between groups, however sweets consumption was greater in ADHD (p = .002). Group × age interactions were observed for KIDMED (p = .022, η2p = .15), magnesium (p = .011, η2p = .20), and iron (p = .010, η2p = .20), and a group × gender interaction for beta-carotene (p = .032, η2p = .14). The strongest correlations involved cognitive outcomes with KIDMED and vitamin B12 (positive), and omega-6:omega-3 (negative), and KIDMED with symptoms (negative). Among subtypes, ADHD-C met more NRVs than ADHD-I (69.2% vs. 38.5%, p = .014). Conclusion Although few dietary differences were observed between ADHD and controls, symptom and cognitive performance associations highlight the clinical relevance of dietary factors. Larger studies are needed to further examine nutrition in ADHD, particularly the potential moderating effects of age, gender, and subtype.

Details

Metrics

1 Record Views
Logo image