Mary Franz - Apr 01st, 2011
As smoking during pregnancy and childhood obesity has increased, so have the number of diagnosed ADHD cases. A recent study set out to determine whether there is a relationship between smoking during pregnancy, childhood obesity, and the risk of developing ADHD.
The cross-sectional study looked at 1,074 schoolchildren in a low socio-economic community. ADHD was determined using a questionnaire that asked whether the child had been diagnosed with ADHD. Among the children studied, 14.9% were considered obese and 28% had mothers who had smoked during pregnancy. The ADHD prevalence among the children was 3.4%.
The researchers determined that the likelihood of ADHD increased fivefold in obese children. For children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy, ADHD was twice as prevalent as among those who did not. Researchers concluded that reducing maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood obesity may lower the prevalence of ADHD.
ADHD is usually treated with prescription drugs. Unfortunately, these drugs do not "cure" ADHD, and many of these children will continue to have problems even into adulthood. A chiropractor who has experience with ADHD patients can evaluate your child and identify the some of the issues that may cause ADHD. Once this is determined, noninvasive treatments can be used to address the problem and improve focus. A chiropractor may also advise parents on lifestyle changes you and your child can make at home.
Koshy G, Delpisheh A, Brabin BJ. Childhood obesity and parental smoking as risk factors for childhood ADHD in Liverpool children. Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders. 2011 Mar;3(1):21-8.
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