Is sugar intake to blame for hyperactivity?

Q: My mother and I are debating whether or not sugar causes children to be hyperactive. Is my son's sugar intake the reason he is so very active?

— A.J., Anderson

A: Your question is not a new one and the most common myths about sugar and children's behavior are not supported by the research. Research also does not support the popularly held views that ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is caused by eating too much sugar, watching too much television, parenting, or social and environmental factors such as poverty or family chaos (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012).

Different types of studies have been conducted with healthy children between the ages of 3 and 5 and between 6 and 10 whose parents reported them as sensitive to sugar. The children were placed on diets with varied sugar content over three week periods. The children were observed by an array of behavioral and intelligence measures. No correlation could be found between the type of diet and the children's performance.

Some individuals have asked if the source of sugars make a difference. The word sugar refers to the number of molecules, or polysaccharides, disaccharides and monosaccharides. Polysaccharides are large, complex sugars and include starches, such as rice and potatoes. The more simple sugars are disaccharides and monosaccharides. Fructose is the major sugar found in fruits and honey. Glucose is the major fuel for the body's energy. Sucrose is a combination of fructose and glucose. The most common form of granulated or table sugar is sucrose.

Whether the sugar occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables or is added as refined or synthetic sugar, the body breaks down and uses sugar in similar ways. All sugar is digested or broken down into the smaller molecule, glucose. Glucose is used by the body as a source of energy.

It is, of course, possible for an individual child to react negatively to sugar. Parents spend enough time with their children to pick up on cues and can identify foods, situations, and even the time of day, that impact their child's behavior. Children do not always have the words that adult have to communicate what is happening in their bodies so we adults watch them and predict what they need based on behavior.

A mom and dad know when it's nap time. You know when your child is hungry before he or she may know. The same is true about certain situations. A birthday party (with or without sugar treats) may stimulate hyperactive behavior. It's fun, it's a party, and it's outside of the routine day. An exciting activity (a party or activities with friends) may influencing your child's behavior. If everyone is running around the yard or being loud and there is no parental influence, then the situation itself promotes the hyperactive behavior.

There are reasons for restricting sugar. Dental caries are associated with refined sugars. Eating sweets or drinking fruit juices before a meal may influence the foods a child eats during their mealtime. Concerns about childhood obesity call for reduction in overall sugar consumption.

The dietary recommendations call for limited use of refined sugars because it does not provide other sources of nutrients of benefit to the body. For example, you could use table sugar over the top of cereal or you could put a few strawberries on top. The fructose in the strawberries may equal the amount of table sugar, but strawberries provide vitamins and fiber and are thus better for you.

Eating sensibly and eating sweets in moderation is important to overall good health. Children also need time to be physically active. It is important to plan time during the day for children to be active and expend their energy. Every day you should ensure that your child has time to play actively. This is a great time of the year for children to be outdoors. You do need to be careful in the hot afternoon heat, and ensure that they have enough water to drink. Sunscreens and hats are also important when outdoors during the summer.
