청주지역 초등학생의 식습관 및 간식섭취빈도와 주의력결핍 과잉행동과의 관계

Relationship between Dietary Habits & Snack Consumption and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) among Elementary School Children in Cheongju Area

This study aims to examine relationship between dietary habits and snack consumption and Attention DeficitㆍHyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) of elementary school children. Survey was conducted from June 25 to July 18, 2008, and 330 copies of questionnaire were distributed to the mothers of the elementary school children. The data of 246 returned questionnaire were analyzed. The subjects were 132 boys (53.7%) and 114 girls (46.3%). Average ADHD score was 7.1 for boys and 5.4 for girls. Score distribution charts showed that the number of children between 0 – 5 scores consists of 52.8%. 4.0% of children were diagnosed as ADHD as the ADHD score was higher than 16. Out of 8 questions, highest score was indicated on the question ‘skip the breakfast frequently’ with 3.5 score out of total 4. This can be interpreted as dietary habit of elementary school children is not good. Correlation between dietary habit and ADHD score shows that the more irregularly the children ate (p＜0.05), the more they preferred to snack than main meal (p＜0.05), the more they watched TV during eating (p＜0.05), the higher ADHD score is. Correlation between snack frequency and ADHD score shows that the more frequently they ate instant noodle (p＜0.05), and biscuits (p＜0.05), the higher ADHD score is. To conclude, it can be summed up that dietary habits and snack frequency are related with ADHD of elementary school children. Therefore, it is recommended that school may need to carry out nutrition education for children and their parents about appropriate dietary habits and snack consumption.