Does Sugar Make Children Hyperactive?

Face it, kids can sometimes be a bit wild, especially when they are excited. Over the years, many parents have blamed hyperactivity on sugar. In 1973, allergist Benjamin Feingold, M.D., encouraged parents to eliminate artificial flavorings, salicylates and food colorings from their children's diets to treat hyperactivity, notes WebMD. Soon after that, refined sugars were thought to be a cause of hyperactivity. Since then, there have been numerous studies regarding children's behavior and sugar.

  1. Hyperactivity Explained

    • Hyperactivity is basically when there is an overabundance of muscle activity. In children, this may include impulsiveness, constant movement, problems concentrating, aggressiveness, talking a lot and getting distracted easily, according to Medline Plus, a National Institutes of Health website. This can cause problems in school and other social situations. Often, this type of behavior will lessen as a child grows older, but this is not always the case.

    Fact or Myth?

    • Is sugar to blame for hyperactivity? After much research, there has been no link between hyperactivity and sugar, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website, Kids Eat Right. Even though this is a myth, it's still a good idea to limit your child's sugar intake for other health reasons. If your child is allowed to consume large amount of sugary foods, he is less likely to eat the healthy foods that his body needs, including low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean protein.

    Causes of Hyperactivity

    • While hyperactivity may not be caused by sugar, kids can still be plagued with it. Some causes of hyperactivity include ADD, attention deficit disorder, emotional disorders, central nervous system disorders, brain disorders and hyperthyroidism, according to Medline Plus. If hyperactivity is suspected, you should consult with your child's pediatrician. A child's diet can also still play a role in hyperactivity. Some preservatives and artificial colors can have an effect on hyperactivity, notes the website DrGreene.com.

    Calming a Hyper Child

    • After consulting your child's pediatrician and ruling out any disorders, there are some things you can do at home and school to calm your hyperactive child. Divert your child's overabundance of energy to give him something productive to do. Enroll him in a sport, kids exercise class or martial arts. Take family walks or bike rides. Plan a camping trip in the great outdoors. Feed your hyper child healthy, natural foods that free of preservatives, artificial coloring and hormones. At school, speak with your child's teacher about allowing your child regular breaks from sitting at his desk, so that he can get up and move.

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