Hyperactivity in Children & Diet

Millions of children suffer from hyperactivity. For some, it's a medical condition diagnosed as either attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Then there are those who simply tend to be more hyperactive in their behavior, yet no diagnosis is attached. For either set of children, what they eat can either have a calming effect or it can add to their hyperactive nature.

Significance of Hyperactivity in Children

• Children who suffer from hyperactivity generally have a harder time in life than other children: it's harder for them to concentrate in school, to retain information, and to follow rules either at home or at school; they may also have a harder time relating to others. It can be an unnerving problem for parents as well: they often have trouble disciplining their children, and they can't control what the children do, or how they behave, at school.

Does Diet Affect Hyperactivity?

• Doctors have discovered that what a child eats plays a role in his or her hyperactivity levels. Not all hyperactivity issues can be resolved by diet alone, but it can help. Diets that are high in sugar and carbohydrates can increase hyperactivity, and foods that contain lots of artificial colors and preservatives tend to rob the body of nutrition, which can also increase hyperactivity.

How Sugar Can Affect Hyperactivity

• Recent studies have shown that when a person digests sugar, especially on an otherwise empty stomach, the brain releases adrenaline, a chemical that raises one's energy levels (especially in fight-or-flight situations). When a child's adrenaline kicks in, the resulting energy can come across as hyperactive energy.

Good Nutrition for Hyperactivity

• A simple diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, and complex carbohydrates is healthy, and can help reduce hyperactivity. The body needs vitamins and minerals to operate at its optimum levels, but it can't absorb vitamins as easily when there's too much sugar in one's diet. Doctors and nutritionists recommend limiting a child's intake of sodas and sugar-saturated juices, like Kool-Aid, and offering water, milk, and Powerade instead.

Considerations Related to Hyperactivity and Diet

• If your child continues to show signs of hyperactivity despite having a well-rounded, nutritional diet, there may be underlying medical conditions, which should be diagnosed by a physician or pediatrician.