ArticlePediatric research2026
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with increased consumption of ultra-processed foods among children.
Article in Pediatric research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Examining ultra-processed food consumption and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in children living in Kuwait.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been linked to unhealthy dietary patterns, but its association with ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption remains underexplored. This study assessed the association between ADHD and UPF intake among children.
methodsData were obtained from the 2015-2016 Israeli Kids Health and Nutrition Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional study. Parents/guardians provided demographic, health, and dietary information via face-to-face interviews. Anthropometrics were measured, and dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour recall. UPF consumption (grams/day and % of total food weight) was classified by the NOVA system and categorized by the median. Adjusted logistic and linear regressions examined associations between ADHD and UPF.
resultsOf 1135 children aged 6-11 years included, 111 had physician-diagnosed ADHD. Median UPF intake was 342.9 grams/day and 16.7% of total food weight. Adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and intakes of energy, dietary fiber, and alpha-linolenic acid, ADHD was significantly associated with above-median UPF consumption, as grams/day (OR = 1.622, 95% CI: 1.010-2.604) and as % of total food weight (OR = 1.652, 95% CI: 1.058-2.578). Linear regression models yielded similar associations. No differences in UPF intake were found by stimulant treatment status.
conclusionADHD is associated with higher UPF consumption, with potential influences in either direction. IMPACT: This study is the first to demonstrate an adjusted association between physician-diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in children, both in absolute food weight and as a percentage of total food weight intake, independent of stimulant treatment status. Findings add to the literature by moving beyond general unhealthy dietary patterns to focus on UPF intake, a growing public health concern. The observed association may reflect ADHD-related eating behaviors, potential contributions of UPF constituents to ADHD-related symptoms, or both, with implications for ADHD care and child public health.
Identifiers
41776368What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.