The relationship between food price and ADHD in children: a case-control study

Background and Aim : Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disease in children. It is reported that diet quality can affect ADHD status. Although food price has a role in food choices and consequently higher risk of diseases, to date, no studies evaluated the relationship between food prices and risk of ADHD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association between food price and ADHD in children.Methods : A case-control study was conducted in 2017 in Isfahan, Iran. Based on DSM-V criteria, a total of 200 children aged 4 to 12 years with ADHD (case group) and 300 age and sex matched children without ADHD were participated in this study. Weight and height were measured using standard protocol. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) contained 168 items was used to assess dietary intake. A self-reported questionnaire including questions about home status, foreign travel, having a car, employment of family head, family size and education level of family head was also used to assess the socioeconomic status (SES).Results : Diet cost per 1000 kcal was lower in the case group compared with the control group (60843.48±6987.83 vs. 67828.33±8989.48 Rials, p<0.01). In the crude model, lower risk of ADHD was observed in higher diet cost per 1000 kcal (OR=0.06; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.13; p<0.001). These findings remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders.Conclusion : an increase in price foods can effect on substitution from healthy food to unhealthy food and have a serious negative effect, especially among the ADHD group.

کلیدواژه ها:

ADHD ، f00d price