Symptoms of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adolescents may be associated to a poor lifestyle, eg poor diet, physical inactivity, poor sleeping habits, and sitting down for too long

In February 2020 researchers from Canada published the results of their study to assess the association between adherence to healthy lifestyle recommendations with the incidence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and visits to the doctor with symptoms associated with ADHD. It is known that the incidence of ADHD in children and adolescents is linked to a worsening lifestyle, eg poor diet, physical inactivity, poor sleeping habits, and sitting down for too long. A total of 3,436 children, aged 10-11 years, were included in the study and followed up until the child was aged 14 years. A survey was undertaken to collect information on lifestyle factors and compared to the number of visits to the doctor for their ADHD. It was noted that 11% of of children/adolescents were diagnosed with ADHD diagnosis before the age of 14 years. Results showed that an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit, with a lower intake of processed meat & alternatives, saturated fat and added sugar, and a higher amount of physical activity was associated with fewer diagnoses of ADHD. Compared to children who met 1-3 recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, meeting 7-9 recommendations was associated with a substantially lower incidence of ADHD and a reduced number of visits to their doctor because of their ADHD. Further research is required to clarify the potential relationship between ADHD and a poor lifestyle.

Loewen OK et al. Adherence to lifestyle recommendations and ADHD: A population-based study of children aged 10-11 years. Psychosom Med. 2020 Feb 13. [Epub ahead of print]

Canadian healthy lifestyle recommendations for children: https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/

Leave a Reply