Background: Behavioural improvements of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) following a restricted elimination diet (RED), may be due to concurrent changes in family environment.
Methods: Twenty-four children with ADHD, were randomized to either a 5-week RED intervention, or a control intervention consisting of healthy food advices in a pilot study.
Results: No differences in family environment were found, neither at baseline nor when comparing the start and end measurements of both groups.
Conclusions: In this pilot study, the effects of an RED on ADHD and ODD are not mediated by improvement of family environment in families motivated to follow an RED. Replication of this preliminary study in larger groups of children is advised.
Keywords: ADHD; ODD; family environment; restricted elimination diet.
© 2012 The Authors. Child and Adolescent Mental Health © 2012 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.