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Health: Hyperactivity & Children's Diets

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Feb 27, 2008 6:00 pm US/Eastern

Health: Hyperactivity & Children's Diets

Reporting
Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― In health, Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl has details on a new study that details how certain foods can make kids hyper.

This is the most substantial evidence to date, new research about foods and certain behavior in children and it isn't just an issue for kids with ADHD.

In preschool, three-year-old Cody Davis was in constant motion. He was hyperactive, aggressive, and a trouble-maker.

"One time they called me and just said he's hurting other kids at school just because he's so wild, he can't control himself," said Cody's mother, Sheri Davis.

A highly regarded British study says a variety of common food additives, including yellow dyes 5 and 6, can make kids hyper.

It found most of the 300 children exposed to artificial colorings had some increased level of hyperactivity.

"It may impact actually the general population, not just ADHD persons, but the average child," said pediatrician Thomas Blondis.

Sheri believes Cody was especially affected by red dye #40. She noticed a significant difference when the dye was eliminated from his diet.

"Within two days, hyperactivity was down 75-percent. It was just amazing, the difference," said Sheri.

The artificial ingredients linked to being hyper are found in everything from beverages to baked goods.

Sheri started avoiding products with artificial dies, switching to more natural products.

Now age seven, Cody is winning awards for his excellent behavior at school.

There's even an occasional splurge, most recently an ice cream sundae.

This latest research prompted the British equivalent of the FDA to issue an advisory to parents.

The advisory calls for them to reduce foods with additives if they see changes in their child's behavior.

Here in the United States, the FDA has taken no action.


RELATED LINKS:

Feingold Diet

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