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

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