Journal of Attention Disorders, Ahead of Print.
Objectives:This study investigates the association between dietary intake and ADHD diagnosis and its dimensions in adolescents.Methods:In the KOALA Birth Cohort Study, 810 adolescents aged 16 to 20 years provided information on ADHD diagnosis and completed a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were extracted using Principal Component Analysis. Parents reported on ADHD symptoms using the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale—Revised Short form, and the Impulsivity subscale from the Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire.Results:The 80 adolescents with ADHD scored higher on the Snacking dietary pattern compared to those without ADHD, while they did not differ on Healthy, Animal-based, Sweet, or Beverage dietary patterns. All ADHD symptom scores (Hyperactivity, Inattention and Impulsivity, and ADHD-index) correlated with increased Snacking. Impulsivity was inversely related to Sweet dietary patterns and positively to Beverage dietary patterns.Conclusion:The results highlight the importance of considering ADHD dimensions beyond diagnosis in understanding adolescents’ dietary intake.