Food Safety and Food Security Challenges among ADHD Children in Covid 19 Pandemic

Abstract

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity (ADHD) is a typical neurodevelopmental disorder in children with low levels of copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids have been detected in children with ADHD. In contrast, sugar, artificial food colourings, and preservatives have been associated with an increased risk of ADHD. During the COVID-19 pandemic, managing food and nutrition for children with ADHD presented several difficulties. This study was conducted to evaluate the eating patterns of ADHD children, restricted foods (food safety), and the significance/need for parents and caregivers of ADHD children to be aware of food safety and security. The children were between 4 and 12 years old; 64% of the respondents were boys, while 36% were girls. They eat more Indian cuisine and have at least one Indian meal daily, whereas they occasionally enjoy western foods. Children who consume western cuisine are more prone to ADHD than those who consume Indian cuisine. Most parents are aware of the foods children with ADHD should avoid. Regarding ADHD, there is a considerable correlation between children's dietary patterns and food safety. During the pandemic, many parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were primarily concerned with ensuring their children received adequate nutrition and coping with an unanticipated financial crisis.