Obesity And Its Effects On Children - 1702 Words

Is it true that sugar causes or contributes to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? This is an important question that many parents, teachers and researchers are trying to answer. Sugar has long been suspected to be a cause behind ADHD symptoms. But research has yet to validate the connection. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the idea that refined sugar causes ADHD or makes symptoms worse is accepted, but more research disproves this theory than supports it. The Journal of Physiology is one of the first to discuss the negative consequence of a diet on learning and cognition (Agrawal Gomez-Pinilla, 2012). The authors investigated the metabolic outcomes of a high glucose diet in combination with a†¦show more content†¦According to the American Psychiatric Association it affects 5% of U.S children and 2.5% of U.S adults. Children with ADHD can t seem to follow directions and are easily bored or aggravated with tasks. They also have a tendency t o move around, are impulsive, and can be quite impetuous. Although these behaviors can be normal in children, they occur more often than usual and are more serious in an adolescent with ADHD. The American Psychiatric association has defined three distinct types of ADHD. The first is the Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type where the person fidgets, talks a lot and it is difficult to sit still for a very long time. The second type is the predominantly inattentive and this is where the individual displays symptoms of hyperactivity/ impulsivity but not fully. Also children with this subtype are less likely to misbehave or have problems getting along with other children. They may sit quietly, but they are not paying attention to the work they have in front of them. Many times children in this subtype are overlooked and parents and teachers do not notice that he/she may have ADHD. The last type of ADHD is the Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive and this is when the sympto ms of the two previous types are uniformly present in the individual. As with all psychological disorders, the reason of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) is unknown. Many