Chapter 2
Abstract Objective. To determine whether a standard elimination diet can decrease ADHD symptoms in a heterogeneous group of young children with ADHD. Design. Open, descriptive. Method. 40 children, 36 boys and 4 girl, aged 3-7 (average 4.8 years), who met the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD, followed their usual diet for 2 weeks (the baseline period) and thereafter a 2-week elimination diet, based on the few foods diet (rice, turkey, pear and vegetables). The behaviour of the child was evaluated at study entry, at the end of the baseline period and at the end of the diet by means of three measurements: the abbreviated Conners’ scale, the ADHD Rating Scale and a physical complaints questionnaire. Teachers completed the abbreviated Conners’ scale and the ADHD Rating Scale twice, at start and at the end of the diet. Results. According to the parent ratings, 25 children (62%) showed at the end of the elimination diet an improvement in behaviour of at least 50% on both the Conners’ scale and the ADHD Rating Scale. Nine children (23%) withdrew from the study because the parents were unable to stick to the diet or because the child fell ill. Ten of 15 children with both parent and teacher ratings responded at home as well as at school. Conclusion. In young children with ADHD an elimination diet can lead to a statistically significant decrease in symptoms.
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