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E u r o S c i C o n C o n f e r e n c e o n
PEDIATRICS
2017
Pediatrics 2017
Volume:3 Issue:4(Suppl)
Journal of Pediatric Care
ISSN 2471-805X
N o v e m b e r 1 3 - 1 4 , 2 0 1 7
L o n d o n , U K
Page 14
A
ttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by
persistent over-activity, inattention, and impulsivity, with a worldwide
prevalence of approximately 5%. Psychoactive medications have proven
efficacious in many cases, but are neither uniformly effective nor devoid
of side effects. Thus, many families seek complementary and alternative
treatments. It is now estimated that about 60% of all children with ADHD
have tried elimination diets and/or dietary supplements before medication. A
Mediterranean Diet (MedDi) is characterized by eating practices traditionally
found in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. MedDi has been
linked to central nervous system benefits including increased brain-derived
neurotrophic factor, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced brain- blood
barrier integrity. Serra-Majem and colleagues (2004) reported findings from
a MedDi compliance survey of 3850 Spanish children in which 53.4% of
participants had diets that were “Poor/In Need of Improvement” and 46.6%
had “Good” diets. Using the Serra-Majem criteria, the current study provides
results from a group of 55 children with ADHD and their mothers at two time
points. Over the course of nine months, participants were provided information
regarding healthy eating and behavioral intervention. Initially, mothers reported
65% had “Poor/ In Need of Improvement” diets and 35% had “Good” diets. By
self-report, 78% of the children reported “Poor/In Need of Improvement” diets
and only 22% rated their diets as “Good.” Contrasting the latter percentage
with results from the Spanish survey, the disparity is highly significant (22%
vs. 46.6%; z=3.60; p=.001). Post-intervention parent ratings did not change
significantly, but there was a significant change in the children’s self- ratings
(p=.046) with more children reporting their own diets as “Good” compared to
pre- intervention. This paper discusses the relations among changes in dietary
practices, child versus parent perceptions of health, and measures of behavior
change.
Biography
Sabrina Schuck completed her Ph.D. at the University of Cal-
ifornia, Riverside and a post- doctoral fellowship in child neu-
ropsychology at the University of California, Irvine Child Devel-
opment Centre. She is an Assistant Professor of Paediatrics,
Psychology & Social Behaviour, and Education. Dr. Schuck has
served as the Executive Director, Child Development Centre
School at UC Irvine since 2012. Dr. Schuck’s research examines
innovative ways to improve executive functioning skills and
build resilience in children with neurodevelopmental disorders
including Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). At UCI she teaches courses
in psychology and child development, and supervises residents,
fellows and undergraduate researchers. She has published 15
papers in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, 3 book chapters, and
serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Applied
Developmental Psychology.
sabrina@uci.eduMediterranean diet survey results in a population
of children with ADHD
Sabrina E B Schuck
University of California, Irvine, USA
Sabrina E B Schuck, J Pediatr Care 2017, 3:4(Suppl)
DOI: 10.21767/2471-805X-C1-002