SubscribeOverweight Mothers and Kids with ADD
Here’s an interesting article from EurekAlert stating that Overweight mothers run greater risk of having hyperactive children. We’ve discussed ADD/ADHD and possible causative factors here, here, and here (and probably somewhere else). This is yet another possible mechanism.
They haven’t figured out a causal connection yet, whether the child is affected by the mother’s obesity or both are affected by the same genetic issue or pregnancy complications, etc. The first thing I thought of is nutritional deficiencies. The average obese person is probably deficient in the omega-3s necessary for proper brain growth, along with an excess of omega-6s and trans fats from the consumption of processed foods. Further, I would put money on vitamin deficiencies. Obesity is often connected with malnourishment; plenty of calories, but few nutrients. The child receives every bit of its nourishment from the mother, so any issues she has health-wise are going to be amplified for the baby.
A diet of fresh, real foods (you know the drill: meat, vegetables, nuts, seeds, good oils, fruit, tubers, and squashes) along with turning off the TV and moving would probably work wonders for children, both born and unborn, and the symptoms of ADD. Again, they haven’t proven that obesity causes kids to have ADD, just that it is correlated. It could be any number of things beyond gestation and/or genetics. It could be that the child tends to adopt the same poor dietary habits of his mother, which lead to the same issues.
If you enjoyed this post, share it on StumbleUpon or Health Ranker (or both!)
- Other Stuff You'll Enjoy:
- Let’s Talk Some More About Sleep! This Time It’s About Kids.
- Follow-up to “The Drugging of Our Children”
- Diabetes Hits Younger and Younger
- What Affects Your Immune System?
- Children and Sleep
Posts from 1 year ago:
Cod Liver Oil Protects Against Type 1 Diabetes
Print This Post
Filed in Obesity and Disease 2 Comments so far
Joe Matasic on 01 Nov 2007 at 3:01 pm #
I’ve read some stuff about the ADD/ADHD before and I would tend to think its nutrition related. The other thing I think could be a problem but have no proof, would be use of TV as a babysitter these days. That could affect the way the brain develops, especially since its lacking the correct nutrition. Not to mention the sugar highs and lows these kids are dealing with.
Anyways, I really wanted to let you know that my fiancee’s co-worker was at least partially right. My fiancee found wild frozen salmon at Costco. Its in a box and was Mc something brand. Can’t believe I didn’t write it down. It was good and a steal. $12 somthing for net weight of like 2.25 pounds. The only downside is its already seasoned, still good, so you can’t season it yourself. I couldn’t find it at Sam’s, but I wasn’t looking for a box. I will check that next time. It was black around the border. Can’t be beat for price when you need a healthy source of protein. Sorry I wasn’t more specific.
I will interrogate the box more and report the exact specifics if someone would like.
Modern Forager » Blog Archive » Diabetes Hits Younger and Younger on 14 Nov 2007 at 9:45 am #
[...] discoloration on his neck since 6 or 7. He also has ADHD, probably linked to his diabetes (or his mother’s obesity). The good news, as his mother states, is “He’s taking two medications but is off [...]