Uh Oh: Halloween + Sugar = Hyperactivity?
As a parent, you’ve probably heard that children who consume too much sugar will become hyperactive. Your mother has warned you to change your child’s diet. Your friends who do not have children with ADHD, suggest you’re a lousy mother for allowing your child to eat a cookie or two every day, let alone drink a bottle of soda on occasion. After all, aren’t you supposed to be eliminating any cause for his hyperactivity?
With Halloween coming, you’re probably struggling with what to do about the bags of candy already entering your home. What’s a good mother to do?
Well, let’s start by getting the facts straight. First off, *studies show that sugar does not cause hyperactivity. Sugar does not cause ADHD, either. In fact as a woman with ADHD myself, I find that sugar actually calms me down!
What we DO find is an association between social activities involving treats full of sugar and a change in a child’s behavior. What does that mean?
Think about it. When does your child typically consume large quantities of sugar?
- Birthday parties
- Halloween
- Other special occasions
And when do children with ADHD typically become more excitable? Well, read the list above.
So next time someone “helpfully” suggests that you remove all sugars from your child’s diet, remind them that there are no studies that prove that sugar causes hyperactivity. Refer to the references below if you really need some ammunition. And explain that you aren’t about to remove your child from social activities that involve sweets as part of the festivities. That is, unless your child happens to become so overstimulated that it’s best to limit activities that rev him or her up!
Now go enjoy Halloween with your child!
*REFERENCES:
Cormier E, Elder JH. Diet and child behavior problems: fact or fiction? Pediatr Nurs. 2007;33:138-143. Review.
Crook WG. Food allergy–the great masquerader . Pediatr Clin North Am . 1975;22: 227-238. In: Kinsbourne M. Sugar and the hyperactive child. N Engl J Med . 1994;330:355-356.
Cruz NV, Bahna SL. Do food or additives cause behavior disorders? Pediatr Ann. 2006;35:744-745,748-54. Review.
Kanarek RB. Does sucrose or aspartame cause hyperactivity in children? Nutr Rev . 1994;52:173-175.
Kinsbourne M. Sugar and the hyperactive child. N Engl J Med . 1994;330:355-356.
Mardis AL. Current knowledge of the health effects of sugar intake. Family Economics and Nutrition Review . 2001;13: 87-91.
Wolraich ML, Lindgren SD, Stumbo PJ, et al. Effects of diets high in sucrose or aspartame on the behavior and cognitive performance of children. N Engl J Med. 1994;330:301-307.
Wolraich ML, Wilson DB, White JW. The effect of sugar on behavior or cognition in children. A meta-analysis. JAMA . 1995;274:1617-1621.
With Halloween coming, you’re probably struggling with what to do about the bags of candy already entering your home. What’s a good mother to do?
Well, let’s start by getting the facts straight. First off, *studies show that sugar does not cause hyperactivity. Sugar does not cause ADHD, either. In fact as a woman with ADHD myself, I find that sugar actually calms me down!
What we DO find is an association between social activities involving treats full of sugar and a change in a child’s behavior. What does that mean?
Think about it. When does your child typically consume large quantities of sugar?
- Birthday parties
- Halloween
- Other special occasions
And when do children with ADHD typically become more excitable? Well, read the list above.
So next time someone “helpfully” suggests that you remove all sugars from your child’s diet, remind them that there are no studies that prove that sugar causes hyperactivity. Refer to the references below if you really need some ammunition. And explain that you aren’t about to remove your child from social activities that involve sweets as part of the festivities. That is, unless your child happens to become so overstimulated that it’s best to limit activities that rev him or her up!
Now go enjoy Halloween with your child!
*REFERENCES:
Cormier E, Elder JH. Diet and child behavior problems: fact or fiction? Pediatr Nurs. 2007;33:138-143. Review.
Crook WG. Food allergy–the great masquerader . Pediatr Clin North Am . 1975;22: 227-238. In: Kinsbourne M. Sugar and the hyperactive child. N Engl J Med . 1994;330:355-356.
Cruz NV, Bahna SL. Do food or additives cause behavior disorders? Pediatr Ann. 2006;35:744-745,748-54. Review.
Kanarek RB. Does sucrose or aspartame cause hyperactivity in children? Nutr Rev . 1994;52:173-175.
Kinsbourne M. Sugar and the hyperactive child. N Engl J Med . 1994;330:355-356.
Mardis AL. Current knowledge of the health effects of sugar intake. Family Economics and Nutrition Review . 2001;13: 87-91.
Wolraich ML, Lindgren SD, Stumbo PJ, et al. Effects of diets high in sucrose or aspartame on the behavior and cognitive performance of children. N Engl J Med. 1994;330:301-307.
Wolraich ML, Wilson DB, White JW. The effect of sugar on behavior or cognition in children. A meta-analysis. JAMA . 1995;274:1617-1621.
Comment
-
Comment by Sumbuny on October 30, 2009 at 5:13pm -
Love the blog. I have two sons, one with ADHD and now 22; one with ADHD/gifted/aspergers/sensory integration disorder and now 19. I am also dealing with ADHD. I also believe the environmental theory, even more so now, after having worked with the special education department for over a dozen years, and working towards my dual major in special education and elementary education.
Why?
Because I see the same "hyperactivity" issues come up with any major change of routine, whether there is food involved or not. With those of us who are considered exceptional, routine is a safety net in a chaotic world. When that is disrupted, our exceptionality is increased. With someone who is dealing with ADHD, well, ADHD symptoms increase.
I propose an experiment.
No, do not have a celebration without food...that would be cruel ;-)
However, one can slightly adjust the diet of an individual to increase the sugar (assuming that this would not casue other issues, like for someone with diabetes or other glucose issues). However, do NOT adjust any other routine in the day. It can be as simple as adding juice to the meal...there is a LOT of sugar in that!
See what happens.
If simple sugars are an issue, then results should be quick.
Then, on another day, change the routine dramatically, but do not change the diet at all....and again observe the behavior for changes.
My bet's on the routine, not the food, though Your Mileage May vary, as always. :-)
Buny
-
Comment by Dr Charles Parker on October 28, 2009 at 7:14am -
Thanks Charlotte for sharing your website, very useful info, very important for readers to follow up with Doris Rupp's book.
Interestingly we have found sugar can be one of several significant problems causing severe ADHD problems, and agree with Charlotte above that these are far more common than appreciated by many. I had one memorable girl, 9 yo, who had 3 hospitalizations for Bipolar and ADHD, and completely regressed with suicidal ideation and dramatic screaming with corn, high fructose corn syrup, and sugar. All of these we measured precisely with the ELISA testing detailed here, and when removed she became dramatically better.
Scientific, laboratory measurements of immune dysfunction can significantly contribute to a full recovery, and, yes, sugar can be a significant contribution to regression. - And Charlotte is quite right in the point that many of these allergies can have direct brain consequences. Many of the folks with any allergy do in fact have several, and they really all should be teased apart.
Important post Terry thanks for the connections with your informed community!
cp
-
Comment by charlotte on October 27, 2009 at 12:36pm
-
Sugar is probably not the big problem in most kids, unless allergic. Additives and especially E124 food colouring is proven to give strong reactions in kids that are sensitive to it.
We have 1 sugar day per week, because my daughter is feeling better when her blood sugar level is more stable, and it is easier for her to concentrate.
So, Halloween is no problem: but no candies with additives, because they make her go depressed for a couple of days.
Allergies can be a big influence, this video gives some amazing proof of kids going wild after ingesting "normal" foodstuffs: video: allergies can cause symptoms of ADD and ADHD and aggression/
About
Subscribe to my newsletter for great resources and tips!
© 2010 Created by Terry Matlen on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
You need to be a member of Moms With ADD/ADHD to add comments!
Join Moms With ADD/ADHD