Summary: Could doing something as simple as improving your child's diet help with ADHD?Almost all children have times when their attention span short circuits, or their behavior veers out of control. However, for some children, these types of behaviors are more than an occasional problem. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have behavior problems that are so frequent and severe that they interfere with their ability to function appropriately on a daily basis. To date, no convincing evidence has shown that a poor diet causes ADHD or that dietary supplements can be used to successfully treat the condition. However, it stands to reason that an adequate diet is necessary for any child's healthy growth. Proper nutrition, including an array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids (EFAs), is particularly necessary in the first few years of life to support brain development and prevent certain neurological disorders. Even among older children, a lack of certain dietary components, such as protein, or an insufficient number of calories can negatively affect a child's learning and behavioral abilities. And, vitamin or mineral deficiencies can certainly interfere with learning over the course of a school year. . Nonetheless, healthy eating and family meals are lifestyle choices generally supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Could there be something to the theories that certain supplements like fish oil and eliminating chemicals such as food coloring can help children with ADHD? Guest expert, Dr. Andrew Adesman, discusses the very real possibility that you can help your child by adjusting their diet.
