In a recent study at Örebro Universitet in Sweden and elsewhere, researchers found there is a link between ADHD and dietary habits.
They found a strong association between ADHD and a higher intake of sugar and saturated fats, but a lower intake of fruit and vegetables.
The study is published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics. One author is professor Henrik Larsson.
It is estimated that around 5% of children and 2.5% of the adult population may have ADHD, with around 70% of these caused by genetic factors.
The mechanisms behind ADHD remain unclear, making it difficult to diagnose and treat.
In the study, almost 18,000 twins aged 20 to 47 were included via the Swedish Twin Registry. They filled out a questionnaire on lifestyle and health.
The researchers found that both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity are linked to dietary habits.
People with ADHD had a higher intake of sugar and saturated fats but a lower intake of fruit and vegetables.
The team says a better understanding of why there is an association may help explain why individuals with ADHD are at increased risk for several somatic diseases, such as obesity.
It may also generate a new hypothesis for genetic research and treatment alternatives.
The study is the very first step to get a clear picture of how ADHD associates with dietary habits.
Researchers are not able to say this is a causal link, but the genetic connections of the two traits could provide evidence and support for future experimental and molecular researches.
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