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| Monday, August 02, 2010 |
| The Western Diet & ADHD |
The Western diet is at it again! The Western diet has previously been associated with a number of health issues such as obesity, diabetes and cancer. Now it is being associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, better know as ADHD. A new study by Australian scientists at Perth’s Telethon Institute for Child Health Research shows an association between ADHD and a “Western-style” diet in adolescents.
A “Western-style” diet is a diet high in processed foods, refined grains, fat, sugar, salt and meat and lower in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish. This type of diet is common in the United States and has long been associated with health risks that affect the body. Now it may be associated with health risks that affect the mind.
Researchers looked at the diets of 1,800 adolescents from the long term Raine Study. The diet information gathered was then compared against whether or not the adolescent had received a diagnosis of ADHD by age 14. In the study, 115 adolescents had been diagnosed with ADHD by age 14 (91 boys and 24 girls). Wendy Oddy, one of the study authors, summarized the findings:
"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 ... having an ADHD diagnosis was associated with a diet high in takeaway foods, processed meats, red meat, high fat dairy products, and confectionery."
The researchers suggest that a Western diet may be low in omega-3 fatty acids which are thought to be beneficial for brain function. It may also be that a Western diet usually contains more artificial flavors, colors and additives which have been linked to ADHD. The researchers also suggest that impulsiveness, which is a characteristic of ADHD, leads to poor dietary choices such as fast food.
Clearly, more research is needed on the relationship between the Western diet and ADHD. However, this study gives us one more reason to examine our diets and our children’s diets. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood mental health disorder. It is more common in boys and can cause many problems for children and parents. Move towards a diet high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and fish. Cut down your trips to the fast food drive thru and focus on minimally processed foods. Once you get in the habit of eating more fresh foods, you will be less tempted to eat the processed food. Encourage your children to eat healthy because what they learn now will stick with them forever.
- Jennifer
References
Science Daily: Western Diet Linked to ADHA, Australian Study Finds
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posted by My Sensei @ Monday, August 02, 2010   |
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