Children with ADHD may benefit from following healthy behaviors, new study suggests

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/au-cwa050216.php

Public Release: 2-May-2016
Children with ADHD may benefit from following healthy behaviors, new study suggests
American University

A new study shows that children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder follow fewer healthy lifestyle behaviors than non-ADHD youth, suggesting that they may benefit from improving lifestyle choices such as increasing water consumption, decreasing screen time and getting at least one hour of physical activity per day.

The disorder is typically managed with prescriptions like Adderall or Ritalin, though many parents are worried about side effects from these medications, and are interested in alternative ways to minimize symptoms in their children. The new study, published online in the Journal of Attention Disorders, is the first to examine the total number of healthy lifestyle behaviors children with ADHD follow, as compared to typically developing children.

"Many parents of children diagnosed with ADHD do not want their children on medication," said Kathleen Holton, lead study author and assistant professor in American University's Department of Health Studies and member of AU's Center for Behavioral Neuroscience. "Having their children follow healthy lifestyle behaviors may be an effective intervention either alongside or in the place of traditional ADHD medications."

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