Despite the common practice of treating children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using medications such as Adderall or Ritalin, a new study suggests another way to do so: promoting health lifestyle habits.
The study examined 184 children with ADHD and 104 without the disorder, all between the ages of 7 and 11.
The results revealed that children with ADHD were less likely to exhibit the healthy behaviors outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Sleep Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The guidelines include no more than one to two hours of TV, computers and video games per day, at least one hour of physical activity per day and consumption of seven to 10 cups of water per day.
The study suggests that if children with ADHD integrate these behaviors into their lifestyle, they could experience improvements in their disorder.
"Many parents of children diagnosed with ADHD do not want their children on medication," said Kathleen Holton of American University and lead author of the study. "Having their children follow healthy lifestyle behaviors may be an effective intervention, either alongside or in the place of traditional ADHD medications."
"Parents of children with ADHD should talk with their pediatrician about how to improve health behaviors, such as limiting screen time, encouraging physical activity, improving bedtime routines and drinking water rather than other beverages," she said.
Making lifestyle-changing and -altering behavior can reduce the effects of detrimental behaviors and increase the presence of healthy behaviors.
"For example, physical activity increases thirst, making water consumption more attractive," Holton said. "Physical activity can also offset screen time and can improve sleep. Similarly, removal of caffeinated beverages prevents their diuretic effect, helps increase water consumption and can help prevent sleep disturbance."
Indeed, a separate study published in the Journal of Sleep Research earlier this month found that children with ADHD have a harder time getting to sleep compared to other children.
"As research into health outcomes in children with ADHD continues to provide new insights, focusing on the overall number of healthy lifestyle behaviors may become important," Holton concluded.
The findings were published April 28 in the Journal of Attention Disorders.
