The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of behavioral problems with dietary patterns and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in young children in Korea as a part of the CHEER (Children’s Health and Environmental Research) study. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2005 of 4,569 adolescents consisting of 1,257 students from the city, 1,893 students from industrial complex regions, and 1,419 students from farming and fishing village regions. The mode of measurement for ADHD was based on DSM-IV from clinical interviews conducted by child psychiatrists (Types of ADHD; inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type). Along with diagnostic interviews, we used epidemiological questionnaires, a computerized Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnostic System, abbreviated Conner’s Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), and DuPaul’s ADHD Rating Scales.
Dietary intake was determined by a food frequency questionnaire. All questions were answered by the children''s parents.
Statistical analyses were performed using the SAS (version 9.3) program.
Dietary habits and ADHD showed significant association with the numbers of eating breakfast, overeating, food delivery, unbalanced diet, eating rate, number of meals per day, and amount of rice.
Each food group consisted of five patterns: "Traditional healthy", "Sweets", "Meat&fish", "Fruits & dairy products", and “Wheat flour food”.
The ‘Fruits & dairy products’ pattern showed significant inverse association with ADHD (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.39, 0.76) and inattentive type (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.33-1.06) in the Fourth highest quartile group compared with the lowest quartile group.
Dietary patterns are important indicators for ADHD in young children. Further studies on other factors in ADHD should be considered.

Key words : Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, dietary patterns, dietary habits, food frequency questionnaire