Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

after healthy children were given large doses of sugar on

an empty stomach, their bodies released large amounts

of adrenaline, which induced shakiness, anxiety, excite-

ment and concentration problems. These reactions were

observed only in children, and an examination of their

brain waves revealed significant changes in their ability

to pay attention. However,no direct link was estab-

lished with dietary sugar, since the study involved the

ingestion of large amounts of sugar on an empty stom-

ach. Thus, it can only be concluded that sugar can cause

hyperactivity in children only if taken in large quantities.

Demographics

Hyperactive children vary from three to 15% of

all children depending on the studies. Comparative

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data shows

that sugar consumption increased by 30% between

1983 and 1999. According to the most recent data,

Americans eat or drink on average approximately

five pounds of sugar a month. USDA stated in 2000

that the average American, who consumes about 2,000

calories per day, can eat up to 10 teaspoons of added

sugars, if he or she eats a healthful diet containing all

the recommended servings of fruits, dairy products,

and other foods. In fact, though, the average Ameri-

can is not eating that healthful diet and consumes at

least 20 teaspoons per day of sugar.

Causes and symptoms

The causes of hyperactivity can include:

Attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD).

Behavior characterized by inattentiveness, over-

activity, and impulsivity. An ADHD diagnosis

requires that children should have at least 6 attention

symptoms or 6 activity and impulsivity symptoms.

These should be present for at least 6 months,

observable in 2 or more settings, and not caused by

another problem.

Emotional disorders. When a child is unhappy or

stressed, hyperactivity is a common response, often

combined to aggressive behavior.

Brain or central nervous system disorders. Schizo-

phrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), obses-

sive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, borderline

personality disorder, autism, pervasive developmen-

tal disorders, and Tourette’s syndrome are all neuro-

logical disorders for which hyperactivity is a

symptom.

Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a condition

caused by the effects of too much thyroid hormone

on tissues of the body. Palpitations, nervousness and

hyperactivity are common symptoms of this

disorder.

Lead contamination. Exposure to high levels of lead

can lead to hyperactivity in children. Children who

live in old buildings in which lead still exists in the

plumbing or in lead paint that has been painted over

may be at risk.

Diagnosis

It can be difficult to distinguish between hyperac-

tivity and the normal activity level of a child. This is

because supervising adults are rarely as active as chil-

dren may be, and so it can happen that a child is nor-

mally active for his or her age, but in the care of an adult

with little tolerance for childhood rambunctiousness.

A medical evaluation will reveal whether the

hyperactivity is due to neurological disorders or

hyperthyroidism. As for ADHD hyperactivity, the

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued

guidelines for pediatricians to clarify the issue. Like-

wise, child psychologists can determine whether the

hyperactivity has an underlying emotional origin. The

following tests may be used to evaluate hyperactivity:

Parent and teacher questionnaires

Psychological evaluation of the child and of the

family

Developmental, mental, nutritional, physical, and

psychosocial examinations

Treatment

If the hyperactivity is related to an underlying

neurological or psychological cause, treatment of the

condition will result in improvement. For hyperactiv-

ity unrelated to a medical condition, the following

measures will help:

limit stimulation in the child’s environment

provide instruction on an individual basis

ensure that the child gets enough sleep

Names for added sugars that appear on food labels

• Brown sugar • Honey


• Corn sweetener • Invert sugar


• Corn syrup • Lactose


• Corn syrup frutose • Maltose


• Dextrose • Malt syrup


• Fructose • Molasses


• Fruit juice concentrates • Raw sugar


• Galactose • Sucrose


• Glucose • Sugar


• High-fructose corn syrup • Syrup

(Illustration by GGS Information Services/Thomson Gale.)

Hyperactivity and sugar