ChildrenwithAttentionDeficitDisorderandDiet11111111
Children with Attention Deficit Disorder and Diet
Ashford University
English Composition II
Eng. 122
Ann Wehrman
Children with Attention Deficit Disorder and Diet
I would like to investigate the ideas of what different foods and additives effect children as well as adolescent and adults with ADHD. First what is ADHD, it is Attention deficit hyper intensity disorder. It is a disorder that a person is not capable to control behavior due to difficulty in processing neural stimuli, accompanied by an extremely high level of motor activity. It can effect children as well as adults but is easiest to detect during school age years. How is ADHD/ADD diagnosed? One of the first detections that a child may have ADHD is they may be unable to remain still, very fidgety and talkative. The most common way to treat is with pharmacotherapy, combined with behavioral management. Even this type of treatment can be difficult, many of the medications have side effects that can cause many other issues with the child/ adolescent. This is not the only way to treat the condition. There are many who believe that choosing the right combination of foods and not allowing others in their diet may help considerably. Currently there is not a complete understanding of the cause of ADHD, together with the problems associated with drug treatments, this has led researchers and parents to explore for more of a definitive causes and alternative treatments of the disorder.
There has always been a certain concern with children and what they eat. We all know that foods and beverages with high sugar content have an adverse effect on children. Do artificial colors and preservatives have an effect? Does Omega 3 fatty acids, do they have any effect? Possibly wheat products but not including whole grains what impact effects do these foods have on children? Do any of these factors cause behavior problems?
For those children who have issues or certain conditions the sugars and additives can have an even
Ashford University
English Composition II
Eng. 122
Ann Wehrman
Children with Attention Deficit Disorder and Diet
I would like to investigate the ideas of what different foods and additives effect children as well as adolescent and adults with ADHD. First what is ADHD, it is Attention deficit hyper intensity disorder. It is a disorder that a person is not capable to control behavior due to difficulty in processing neural stimuli, accompanied by an extremely high level of motor activity. It can effect children as well as adults but is easiest to detect during school age years. How is ADHD/ADD diagnosed? One of the first detections that a child may have ADHD is they may be unable to remain still, very fidgety and talkative. The most common way to treat is with pharmacotherapy, combined with behavioral management. Even this type of treatment can be difficult, many of the medications have side effects that can cause many other issues with the child/ adolescent. This is not the only way to treat the condition. There are many who believe that choosing the right combination of foods and not allowing others in their diet may help considerably. Currently there is not a complete understanding of the cause of ADHD, together with the problems associated with drug treatments, this has led researchers and parents to explore for more of a definitive causes and alternative treatments of the disorder.
There has always been a certain concern with children and what they eat. We all know that foods and beverages with high sugar content have an adverse effect on children. Do artificial colors and preservatives have an effect? Does Omega 3 fatty acids, do they have any effect? Possibly wheat products but not including whole grains what impact effects do these foods have on children? Do any of these factors cause behavior problems?
For those children who have issues or certain conditions the sugars and additives can have an even
References: Pelsser, L. M., Frankena, K., Buitelaar, J. K., & Rommelse, N. N. (2010). Effects of food on physical and sleep complaints in children with ADHD: a randomised controlled pilot study. European Journal Of Pediatrics, 169(9), 1129-1138. doi:10.1007/s00431-010-1196-5 Diet and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (2009). Harvard Mental Health Letter, 25(12), 4-5. Kanarek, R. B. (2011). Artificial food dyes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nutrition Reviews, 69(7), 385-391. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00385.x Food additives and ADHD symptoms. (2010). Brown University Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update, 12(11), 3 (American Psychological Assoc.)