Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder characterized by continuous inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and a lack of self-control. It is typically noticed when the child is quite young. Then again, all children struggle with their ability to focus by being easily distracted. While most children learn with time and a little help, to focus or to apply themselves, for children with ADHD, the struggle may seem more constant.

It is not clear what causes ADHD, but it is typically an inherited condition. In some cases, it has been attributed to exposure to environmental toxins, like lead and maternal substance abuse during pregnancy.

Whatever be the cause, studies show that people with ADHD are less likely to engage in healthy lifestyle choices. This further feeds the cycle of inattentiveness and hyperactivity. The long-term health effects of these undesirable lifestyle choices and the negative correlation to academic performance make a compelling case to manage these lifestyle aspects.

Watching less TV
Medical research and population surveys have established that media time affects ADHD significantly. Nearly 50% of children with ADHD report a greater than two-hour screen presence daily. This includes television, gaming consoles, as well as educational content delivered via a device. This increased screen time is correlated with reduced reading behavior. Encouraging a reading habit, irrespective of the genre of literature is a simple way to make a lifestyle change. More time spent reading will mean less screen time, improved literacy levels, and academic performance. These are healthy lifestyle options for ADHD.

An increased screen time also co-occurs with reduced physical activity. Physical activity by itself is important for attention and mood management for the general population. For children with ADHD, it provides an opportunity to develop social skills and appropriate behaviors and responses. For these very reasons, children with ADHD may avoid sports, especially team activities but it is very important for neural and executive development as well as the growth of social intelligence. These are healthy lifestyle options for ADHD.

Sleeping habits
There is also a strong correlation between ADHD and poor sleep – in terms of the hours of sleep per night as well as the restfulness of the sleep. Increased screen time, especially before bedtime, reduced physical activity, and the consumption of stimulants, all affect sleep patterns. Pediatricians also stress the importance of keeping a fixed bedtime and maintaining a bedtime routine for all children, especially those with ADHD.

Food habits
With the economic growth of countries and the increase in the disposable income of its population as well as the advancements in the food processing industry, processed foods form a large part of modern diets. Artificial food colors and flavors, flavor enhancers, sodium benzoate, preservatives as well as sugars and artificial sweeteners like aspartame have been determined to increase the risk of ADHD.

Other lifestyle factors affect food choices too. For example, higher television watching increases snack consumption. This disrupts the consumption of regular meals; thereby reducing protein, vitamin, and mineral intake. Offering healthy snack choices like fruits and vegetables, nuts, dairy-based products, and reducing the intake of carbonated beverages and high-sugar fruit juices is a difficult shift to make but a much-needed one. These are healthy lifestyle options for ADHD.