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Article
Household Food Insecurity is Associated with Symptoms of Emotional Dysregulation in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: The MADDY Study
Psychiatry
  • Irene E Hatsu
  • Leanna Eiterman
  • Madeline Stern
  • Stacy Lu
  • Jeanette M Johnstone
  • Brenda M Y Leung
  • Priya Srikanth
  • Lisa Robinette
  • Gabriella Tost
  • James B Odei
  • Barbara L Gracious, HCA Healthcare
  • L Eugene Arnold
Division
South Atlantic
Hospital
Orange Park Medical Center
Document Type
Manuscript
Publication Date
3-20-2022
Keywords
  • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
  • children,
  • emotional dysregulation,
  • food security status
Abstract

The association of household food insecurity with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and emotional dysregulation in children was examined in this study. We utilized baseline data from 134 children aged 6-12 years who were enrolled in a clinical trial investigating multinutrient supplementation as a treatment for ADHD and emotional dysregulation. Household food security status was assessed using the 18-item US Household Food Security Survey Module. The symptoms of ADHD and emotional dysregulation disorders (oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)) were assessed using the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5 and other comorbid emotional dysregulation symptoms were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Multiple linear regression determined associations between household food security status and symptoms of ADHD, ODD and DMDD, emotional symptoms and conduct problems. Household food insecurity was associated with more severe emotional symptoms (β = 2.30; 95% CI = 0.87-3.73;

Publisher or Conference
Nutrients
Citation Information
Hatsu IE, Eiterman L, Stern M, et al. Household Food Insecurity Is Associated with Symptoms of Emotional Dysregulation in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: The MADDY Study. Nutrients. 2022;14(6):1306. Published 2022 Mar 20. doi:10.3390/nu14061306