Mediterranean diet adherence is a strong predictor of TIC severity in U.S. children and adolescents with Tourette Syndrome

Author

Diane NMN Kraft, University of North FloridaFollow

ORCID

0000-0002-9121-2003

Year

2025

Season

Spring

Paper Type

Doctoral Dissertation

College

Brooks College of Health

Degree Name

Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN)

Department

Nutrition & Dietetics

NACO controlled Corporate Body

University of North Florida. Department of Nutrition & Dietetics

Committee Chairperson

Andrea Y. Arikawa

Second Advisor

Alireza Jahan-Mihan

Third Advisor

Darren T. Koch

Department Chair

Andrea Y. Arikawa

College Dean

Dr. Mei Zhao

Abstract

Objective: This cross-sectional study evaluated Mediterranean Diet (MedD) adherence and tic severity in children and adolescents with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and analyzed differences in MedD adherence and various demographic and lifestyle factors in individuals with TS compared to healthy controls. Method:  We recruited healthy children (HC) (n = 31) and children with TS (n = 66) aged 9-17 to participate in an online questionnaire examining demographic/lifestyle characteristics, KIDMED score for MedD adherence, and—for subjects with TS—the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) score.  Independent samples t tests, 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and χ² tests determined differences between KIDMED Score and demographic variables, as well as demographic/lifestyle differences between the 2 groups. The Spearman correlation coefficient between MedD adherence and tic severity was calculated. Backward stepwise linear regression analyses were run to determine the best predictors of tic severity.

Results: Mean KIDMED score of HC and subjects with TS was 4.27, indicating low dietary quality overall that "needs improvement" (scores of 4–7). KIDMED score was significantly lower for subjects who participated in The National School Lunch Program free- and reduced-price meal (NSLP) (P = .02), and significantly higher for subjects who reported medium and high, versus low, levels of physical activity (P = .01). MedD adherence was a strong negative significant predictor of tic severity (P = .001).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest a possible role for MedD in TS tic management.  Public health initiatives that facilitate healthier youth eating practices resembling MedD are warranted and may be particularly beneficial for youths with TS.

Suggested Citation

Kraft, Diane NMN, "Mediterranean diet adherence is a strong predictor of TIC severity in U.S. children and adolescents with Tourette Syndrome" (2025). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1348.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1348