Empirically derived dietary patterns and food groups intake in relation with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A systematic review and meta-analysis

Summary Background and aims Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent chronic psychiatric condition in children world wide. This study was aimed to provide an overview of food groups and dietary patterns in ADHD children as a systematic review. Methods The relation between dietary patterns and this disorder was also investigated through meta-analysis. Databases including Google Scholar, SCOPUS, ISI Web of science, and PubMed were searched up to June 2017. Studies on posteriori derived dietary patterns and food intakes of ADHD children were included. The achieved Relative Risks (RR) and Odds Ratio (OR) were pooled together for ADHD to compare the most and the least adherence to major dietary patterns. The heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran's Q test and I-squared methods. Results This systematic review consisted of 6 dietary patterns and 6 foods or macronutrients studies. In this regard, 6 dietary patterns studies (n: 8816) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis established that “healthy” dietary pattern significantly decreased the risk of ADHD (OR: 0·63; 95% CI: 0·41, 0·96), whereas “Western” (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.13, 3.26; p:0.016) and “junk food” (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.16; p: 0.024) dietary patterns increased it. Conclusions “Healthy” dietary pattern highly loaded with vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish has decreased the odds of ADHD up to 37%. In addition, adherence to “junk food” pattern containing sweetened beverages and desserts as well as “Western” dietary pattern including red meat, refined grains, processed meats, and hydrogenated fat increased it.