TAIPEI, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Hyperactivity is associated with multiple modifiable conditions such as allergic symptoms, anemia, low levels of serotonin, and unhealthy diet patterns, according to a report issued by the Academia Sinica in Taiwan.
School-age children with signs of allergy were two times as likely to suffer from hyperactivity, found the research led by Dr. Pan Wen-harn of the academy.
The presence of four or more abnormal clinical chemistry items was associated with a six to seven-fold increase in the risk of having hyperactivity, the report said.
Researchers also found that children with hyperactivity took in less nutritious food such as vegetable and fruit, but consumed more unhealthy food, particularly food rich in sugar and oil.
Pan said researchers concluded that better dietary habits should help improve hyperactivity.
She recommended that parents of children with hyperactivity know whether their children are allergic or suffer from anemia and seek medical treatment. "They should also help their children take in more nutritious food, and avoid roasted, fried and sweet food," she said.
The researchers made comparative studies on 216 local primary school students with hyperactivity and 216 others without hyperactivity. The research results have been published in the Scientific Reports and the Journal of Clinical Medicine.
Hyperactivity, known academically as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a disease normally seen in children.
