Publications
Partners
Obesity, ADHD and food allergies are all diet-related problems that can affect children and have long-term health implications.
Worldwide, there’s growing concern about the high incidence of childhood obesity, while the number of children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergies and asthma is also on the rise.
Interestingly, obesity has now been linked to ADHD – and, more specifically, the use of stimulant medication. Research shows that many children with ADHD pick up weight when they hit adolescence. What’s more, food allergies may contribute to ADHD symptoms.
Keeping a close eye on a child’s nutrition is always important, but it becomes even more important if the child has ADHD, a food allergy, a weight problem, or a combination.
Here’s what you need to know…
Diet and ADHD
ADHD often manifests itself in the early school years. The condition is associated with a variety of symptoms such as excessive physical activity, impulsiveness, poor concentration and low frustration tolerance.
Despite extensive research to investigate dietary links to ADHD (e.g. sugar, MSG, colorants), controlled studies were unable to demonstrate a clear connection between sugar intake and hyperactivity. In fact, children receiving sugar in one of these studies were actually calmer and quieter than those who didn’t receive sugar.
This finding might be due to the fact that hyperactive children have a great need for energy replacement. In contrast to most children, many children with ADHD are so active that they need to eat large quantities of food often. The late-afternoon period, when the child becomes fractious due to low blood sugar levels, is usually particularly difficult.
For hyperactive children the rule of “not eating between meals” generally doesn’t apply. These children might need to eat healthy, low-glycaemic-index snacks when they’re hungry, or when their blood-sugar levels dip.
Ironically, on the other end of the scale, childhood ADHD is also associated with childhood and adult obesity. The very latest research shows that childhood ADHD that’s not treated with stimulant medication is linked to a higher childhood body-mass index (i.e. overweight/obesity). In contrast, children treated with ADHD medication (e.g. Ritalin, Concerta) tend to have a relatively normal body-mass index during childhood. However, these children generally pick up more weight during adolescence compared to children without a history of ADHD or ADHD medication use.
For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye on your ADHD child’s weight throughout childhood and adolescence, and to work closely with a registered dietician to ensure that he/she follows a well-balanced eating plan.
Some research also indicates that hyperactive children have a more pronounced need for omega-3 fatty acids. Try giving your ADHD child an omega-3 supplement such as salmon-oil capsules or omega-3 enriched foods (e.g. eggs, milk and/or bread).
Food allergies
Although the exact causes of ADHD remain unknown, experts believe that genetic and environmental factors could play a role.
Research shows, for example, that food allergies during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood could be a contributing factor. Other research studies indicate that preschoolers with eczema (atopic dermatitits) have a greater frequency of ADHD symptoms. And yet more research shows that there’s an increased risk of ADHD in children with milk intolerance.
Certain allergies of infancy may clear up during the childhood years, while others may appear for the first time when the child is slightly older.
If you suspect that your child is sensitive to certain foods or food additives, ask your GP to send the child for allergy tests. Self-diagnosis is self-defeating and can have serious consequences, such as nutritional deficiencies. For example, if you think your child is allergic to milk and you cut out all dairy products without having this diagnosis confirmed with tests, your child runs the risk of developing a calcium deficiency. The child could also simply be allergic to pollens and grass, and not food. By cutting out certain foods, you may be depriving her of nutrients to no advantage.
If the child tests positive for a food allergy, it’s once again important to consult a clinical dietician to help you work out a diet that avoids the offending food(s), but which is still sufficiently nutritious to promote growth and development.
Worldwide, there’s growing concern about the high incidence of childhood obesity, while the number of children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergies and asthma is also on the rise.
Interestingly, obesity has now been linked to ADHD – and, more specifically, the use of stimulant medication. Research shows that many children with ADHD pick up weight when they hit adolescence. What’s more, food allergies may contribute to ADHD symptoms.
Keeping a close eye on a child’s nutrition is always important, but it becomes even more important if the child has ADHD, a food allergy, a weight problem, or a combination.
Here’s what you need to know…
Diet and ADHD
ADHD often manifests itself in the early school years. The condition is associated with a variety of symptoms such as excessive physical activity, impulsiveness, poor concentration and low frustration tolerance.
Despite extensive research to investigate dietary links to ADHD (e.g. sugar, MSG, colorants), controlled studies were unable to demonstrate a clear connection between sugar intake and hyperactivity. In fact, children receiving sugar in one of these studies were actually calmer and quieter than those who didn’t receive sugar.
This finding might be due to the fact that hyperactive children have a great need for energy replacement. In contrast to most children, many children with ADHD are so active that they need to eat large quantities of food often. The late-afternoon period, when the child becomes fractious due to low blood sugar levels, is usually particularly difficult.
For hyperactive children the rule of “not eating between meals” generally doesn’t apply. These children might need to eat healthy, low-glycaemic-index snacks when they’re hungry, or when their blood-sugar levels dip.
Ironically, on the other end of the scale, childhood ADHD is also associated with childhood and adult obesity. The very latest research shows that childhood ADHD that’s not treated with stimulant medication is linked to a higher childhood body-mass index (i.e. overweight/obesity). In contrast, children treated with ADHD medication (e.g. Ritalin, Concerta) tend to have a relatively normal body-mass index during childhood. However, these children generally pick up more weight during adolescence compared to children without a history of ADHD or ADHD medication use.
For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye on your ADHD child’s weight throughout childhood and adolescence, and to work closely with a registered dietician to ensure that he/she follows a well-balanced eating plan.
Some research also indicates that hyperactive children have a more pronounced need for omega-3 fatty acids. Try giving your ADHD child an omega-3 supplement such as salmon-oil capsules or omega-3 enriched foods (e.g. eggs, milk and/or bread).
Food allergies
Although the exact causes of ADHD remain unknown, experts believe that genetic and environmental factors could play a role.
Research shows, for example, that food allergies during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood could be a contributing factor. Other research studies indicate that preschoolers with eczema (atopic dermatitits) have a greater frequency of ADHD symptoms. And yet more research shows that there’s an increased risk of ADHD in children with milk intolerance.
Certain allergies of infancy may clear up during the childhood years, while others may appear for the first time when the child is slightly older.
If you suspect that your child is sensitive to certain foods or food additives, ask your GP to send the child for allergy tests. Self-diagnosis is self-defeating and can have serious consequences, such as nutritional deficiencies. For example, if you think your child is allergic to milk and you cut out all dairy products without having this diagnosis confirmed with tests, your child runs the risk of developing a calcium deficiency. The child could also simply be allergic to pollens and grass, and not food. By cutting out certain foods, you may be depriving her of nutrients to no advantage.
If the child tests positive for a food allergy, it’s once again important to consult a clinical dietician to help you work out a diet that avoids the offending food(s), but which is still sufficiently nutritious to promote growth and development.
