Background and Objectives: :  Executive Functions are high-level cognitive functions that affect learning, behavior and school achievement. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and behavioral indexes of executive functions in 6-8 years old children.
 Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 374 students from 24 schools of Qom, Iran. The mothers were asked to provide the demographic, semi-quantitative food frequency, Physical activity and behavior rating inventory of executive functions (BRIEF) questionnaires. Then Children's height and weight were measured and dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Binary logistics regression was used to estimate OR for having weak executive functions.
Results: Two major dietary patterns were identified. The "healthy" dietary pattern characterized by high intake of vegetables, beans, red meat, fruits, nuts, low fat dairy, plant oil, fish, potato, doogh (yogurt drink) and olive. The second dietary pattern was high in mayonnaise, sugarydesserts, industrial juice, tomato, soda, snacks, pickles, refined grains, high fat and processed meat, tea,  coffee, fried potato and low amounts of plant oil and was named the "unhealthy" dietary pattern. After adjusting for potential confounders, children in second median of healthy dietary pattern had significantly less odds of having weak performance in inhibit, emotional control and behavior regulating index (BRI). Greater adherence to "unhealthy" dietary pattern was significantly associated with a higher risk for having weak performance in emotional control.
Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between the healthy dietary pattern and some behavioral indexes of executive functions. Also this study showed that adherence to an unhealthy dietary pattern may be associated with problems in emotional control.