Link between ADHD in children and obesity

This article claims that children with ADHD are more likely to become obese, and this association could be due to a lack of impulse control seen in both conditions.

A new study conducted by researchers at the Child Study Center at NYU Langone Medical Center found men diagnosed as children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were twice as likely to be obese in a 33-year follow-up study compared to men who were not diagnosed with the condition.

The study appears in the May 20 online edition of Pediatrics.

"Few studies have focused on long-term outcomes for patients diagnosed with ADHD in childhood. In this study, we wanted to assess the health outcomes of children diagnosed with ADHD, focusing on obesity rates and Body Mass Index," said lead author Francisco Xavier Castellanos, MD, Brooke and Daniel Neidich Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Study Center at NYU Langone. "Our results found that even when you control for other factors often associated with increased obesity rates such as socioeconomic status, men diagnosed with ADHD were at a significantly higher risk to suffer from high BMI and obesity as adults."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders, often diagnosed in childhood and lasting into adulthood. People with ADHD typically have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors and tend to be overly active. ADHD has an estimated worldwide prevalence of five percent, with men more likely to be diagnosed than women.

The prospective study included 207 white men diagnosed with ADHD at an average age of 8 and a comparison group of 178 men not diagnosed with childhood ADHD, who were matched for race, age, residence and social class. The average age at follow up was 41 years old. The study was designed to compare Body Mass Index (BMI) and obesity rates in grown men with and without childhood ADHD.

Results showed that, on average, men with childhood ADHD had significantly higher BMI (30.1 vs. 27.6) and obesity rates (41.1 percent vs. 21.6 percent) than men without childhood ADHD.

"The results of the study are concerning but not surprising to those who treat patients with ADHD. Lack of impulse control and poor planning skills are symptoms often associated with the condition and can lead to poor food choices and irregular eating habits," noted Dr. Castellanos. "This study emphasizes that children diagnosed with ADHD need to be monitored for long-term risk of obesity and taught healthy eating habits as they become teenagers and adults."

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When you should talk to a doctor about sleep issues

This article discusses signs that indicate you should talk to a doctor about sleep issues.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. Unfortunately, we live in a fast-paced society where sleep is not always a priority. We often overlook feeling tired and sleep deprived, chalking it up to a necessary part of a busy life. But besides the obvious impact on quality of life, sleep issues have also been linked to injuries, chronic diseases, mental illnesses, increased health care costs, and lost work productivity.

If you regularly have trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia), are tired during the day (even after getting seven or more hours of sleep the night before), or notice that your abilities to perform daily functions are reduced, you may have a sleep disorder. Start by keeping track of your sleeping patterns. Record what time you go to sleep, how many times you wake up during the night, what time you wake up, and how you feel during the day. Take note of clues like the following:

• nodding off while driving
• struggling to stay awake when inactive, such as when watching television or reading
• difficulty paying attention or concentrating at work, school, or home
• performance problems at work or school
• getting told by others that you look sleepy often
• difficulty with your memory
• slowed responses
• difficulty controlling your emotions
• needing to take naps almost every day

If you experience one or more of the symptoms above, you should seek the help of a professional who can determine what is preventing you from experiencing quality sleep and help to address the problem. In some cases, disturbed sleep can be caused by sleep apnea, a chronic condition in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. Many people don’t even know they suffer from this condition, but it’s important to find out what’s causing it because it can lead to an increased risk of more serious health conditions like heart attack, diabetes, stroke, and obesity.

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Link found between autism and ADHD

Research shows that adults who have epilepsy are likely to have symptoms of autism as well.

Adults with epilepsy are more likely to have a greater number of characteristics of autism and Asperger syndrome, according to new research by the University of Bath, England.

The finding was discovered by Dr. SallyAnn Wakeford, a PhD student from the University's Department of Psychology, and revealed a previously unknown link between epileptic seizures and the signs of autism in adults.

Traits of autism, such as impaired communication and social interaction and restricted and repetitive interests, can be serious and go undetected for several years - creating a lasting impact on the lives of those who endure them.

The investigators found that epileptic seizures interfere with the neurological function that affects social functioning in the brain - causing the same characteristics that depict autism.

Dr Wakeford said:

"The social difficulties in epilepsy have been so far under-diagnosed and research has not uncovered any underlying theory to explain them. This new research links social difficulties to a deficit in somatic markers in the brain, explaining these characteristics in adults with epilepsy."

The researchers revealed that having elevated autistic traits was standard to all types of epilepsy, however, it was more evident for adults with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE).

The authors believe one reason may be because anti-epileptic medications are many times less effective for TLE. These drugs may cause an impact because they are significantly related to the severity of autistic characteristics. 

Dr. Wakeford and her colleagues conducted a comprehensive range of studies with participants who have epilepsy and found that all adults with epilepsy exhibited autism traits.

She explained:

"Epilepsy has a history of cultural stigma, however the more we understand about the psychological consequences of epilepsy the more we can remove the stigma and mystique of this condition. "These findings could mean that adults with epilepsy get access to better services, as there is a wider range of treatments available for those with autism condition."

The findings may lead to better treatment for people with epilepsy and autism. Dr. Wakeford suggested that although epilepsy has a cultural stigma, the more understood the physical outcomes of this condition are, the better chance there is to eliminate this stigma.

She concluded, "These findings could mean that adults with epilepsy get access to better services, as there is a wider range of treatments available for those with autism condition."

Margaret Rawnsley, research administration officer at Epilepsy Action, was pleased with the results of the study, saying: "We welcome any research that could further our understanding of epilepsy and ultimately improve the lives of those with the condition. This research has the potential to tell us more about the links between epilepsy and other conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders."

A study released earlier this year suggested a link between mothers who took the antiepileptic drug sodium valproate during pregnancy and an increased risk for autism in their children. Researchers found that neurodevelopmental issues were more prevalent in children whose mothers had epilepsy.

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Virginia Tech 2013 Football Helmet Ratings

Virginia Tech's 2013 Football Helmet Ratings gives ratings on a five-star scale to indicate the likelihood of a helmet to help prevent concussions.

Virginia Tech released today the results of its 2013 adult football helmet ratings, designed to identify differences between the abilities of helmets to reduce the risk of concussion. A total of four helmets achieved a 5 star mark, which is the highest rating awarded by the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings-. The newly redesigned Xenith X2 joined the Riddell 360, Rawlings Quantum Plus, and Riddell Revolution Speed as the only helmets with a 5 star rating.

Two additional new helmet models introduced this year, the SG Adult Helmet and the Schutt Vengeance, were rated as 4 star helmets, denoted as very good. This category includes six existing helmets that have been rated with 4 stars in the 2012 Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings-: Schutt ION 4D, Rawlings Impulse, Xenith X1, Riddell Revolution, Rawlings Quantum, and Riddell Revolution IQ. The complete ratings are publicly available online so that consumers can make informed decisions when purchasing football helmets.

The Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings- for adult football helmets was created in 2011 based on research that included analysis of over 2 million head impacts recorded in high school and collegiate football games. The process used for evaluating helmets involves mapping the on-field exposure to laboratory tests. For each helmet model, 120 impacts are performed at multiple locations and impact energies. The exposure and impact data are then combined and compared to concussion risk using the STAR equation, an acronym for the Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk. Helmets that better manage the impact energy will result in lower head accelerations and thereby lower the risk of concussion. To date, 18 helmet models have been evaluated through the analysis of over 2000 laboratory tests.

"It is encouraging to see the progress in helmet design over the past two years. We were able to utilize funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to collect data that provided the foundation for this translational research. In addition to the high performing Riddell and Rawlings helmets of last year, you saw Xenith, SG, and Schutt all introduce new helmets this year that are performing very well," said project director Stefan Duma, the Harry C. Wyatt Professor and Department Head of the Virginia Tech - Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (SBES).

As observed in previous years, cost was not associated with performance, as the most expensive helmet was not the best performer. "Overall, we recommend players select one of the 4 or 5 star helmets. The specific helmet a player chooses will be dependent on additional factors such as a fit and comfort," said Duma. The other new helmet model introduced in the 2013 ratings was the Schutt Air XP Ultralite, which earned a 3 star rating. The remaining five football helmet models were rated with 3 stars or less.

"It's great to see manufacturers tweaking their current helmet models to reduce head acceleration. When you consider the millions of athletes participating in organized football, selecting helmets that reduce head acceleration can have a large impact across the sport," said Steven Rowson, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Virginia Tech. Rowson was responsible for the development of the STAR Evaluation System and testing the helmets. "Three of the four new helmet models introduced in this past year earned a 4 or 5 star rating. This helps demonstrate that a data-driven approach can be utilized to optimize helmet design to reduce concussion risk," he said.

These will be the last ratings based solely on linear acceleration, as the research team announced their five year plan that will add rotational acceleration to all future Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings-. Concussion risk will be determined from both linear and rotational head accelerations using methods developed in their recently published study in Annals of Biomedical Engineering. "All head impacts result in linear and rotational head accelerations, and starting this fall, we will include both in our evaluation of adult and youth football helmets. We will also apply these methods to other sports, including: hockey, lacrosse, and baseball," Duma added.

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Video game addiction and sleep disorders

Statistics from London claim video game addiction is to blame for the increase in sleep disorders in children.

Addiction to games is being blamed for increase in the number of young kids being hospitalised with serious sleep disorders.

NHS' latest figures show that there were 5,992 appointments for kids to see a sleep specialist last year, which amounted to more than 100 every week, the Daily Express reported.

The data covered kids, who had trouble sleeping as well as those suffering from sleep apnoea, where breathing stops momentarily, or severe snoring.

The effects of a sleeping disorder on a kid can be severe with a suggested link to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and poor grades at school.

Child sleep expert Andrea Grace, said that the problem with looking at any screen when it comes to night time is that it gives people a kind of false energy.

In the evening, kids are often absorbed with computer games, TV programmes, texting their friends or looking on Facebook and fail to realise that they are tired.

She added that that they often feel a bit "wired" and have great difficulty switching off themselves and the devices in which they are playing.

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Obesity causing increases in sleep apnea

This article discusses why obesity may be causing the increasing prevalence of sleep apnea.

The widening American waistline may be feeding an epidemic of sleep apnea, potentially robbing millions of people of a good night's rest, a new study suggests.

The research didn't definitively link the rise in obesity to sleep apnea, and it only looked at 1,520 people, almost all white, in Wisconsin. But study author Paul Peppard believes the findings show a big spike in sleep apnea cases over the past two decades -- as much as 55 percent -- and may translate to the entire United States.

"There are probably 4 million to 5 million people who are more likely to have sleep apnea due to the obesity epidemic," estimated Peppard, an assistant professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "It's certainly an uncalculated cost of the obesity epidemic, an epidemic of its own."

The researchers looked at adults aged 30 to 70 who were monitored as they slept. About 600 to 700 underwent sleep tests between 1988 and 1994, with some continuing to take part along with hundreds of new participants from 2007 to 2010.

The study considered the participants to have moderate-to-severe breathing problems if they had trouble breathing 15 or more times an hour while sleeping.

Sleep apnea is the main cause of breathing problems during sleep. People with the condition often have trouble staying in deep sleep because their throats close, blocking their airways and requiring them to partially awaken to start breathing properly. They don't realize they're waking up and may become very sleepy during the day.

Besides sleepiness, sleep apnea can contribute to heart and other health problems if untreated and increase the risk of work- and driving-related accidents, according to the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

The researchers extrapolated their findings to the entire United States and estimated that 10 percent of men aged 30 to 49 currently have symptoms of sleep apnea. The study estimates the number is 17 percent of men aged 50 to 70. For women, the estimate is 3 percent among those aged 30 to 49 and 9 percent among women aged 50 to 70.

Among all groups, heavier people were much more likely than thinner people to suffer from the symptoms.

The study estimates that these numbers have gone up by 14 percent to 55 percent from 1988-1994 to 2007-2010. Peppard estimated that 80 percent to 90 percent of the increase in symptoms is due to the growth in obesity.

But it's hard to know for sure how much of a role that obesity plays in causing more symptoms. While obesity is "almost certainly the biggest factor" in causing sleep apnea, Peppard said, "there's long list of things that cause sleep apnea or are related to sleep apnea, like being older, being male, having a narrower upper airway, having a genetic predisposition to it..."

What to do? If you don't feel rested after sleeping, Peppard said, talk to your doctor.

The good news is that sleep apnea is treatable. One treatment, known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is a machine that blows air into the throat to keep it open while people sleep. "It's very effective, but some people don't like to use it," Peppard said.

There's another option that will help in many cases, he said: Weight loss.

Joyce Walsleben, an associate professor of medicine at New York University who studies sleep problems, agreed. "Obesity has to be addressed and controlled," said Walsleben. "That is a message for doctors and patients."

Although the study tied obesity to higher risk of having sleep apnea, it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

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Do helmets reduce seizure related injury?

Seizure. 2005 Jul;14(5):347-53.

Seizure-related injuries in a group of young people with epilepsy wearing protective helmets: incidence, types and circumstances.

Deekollu D, Besag FM, Aylett SE.

Source

The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK. david_jsd@hotmail.com

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To provide information on the incidence, types and circumstances of injuries sustained in a group of young people with epilepsy usingprotective helmets.

METHODS:

Thirty-three residential students (21 M, 12 F, age range 5-21, mean 14.5 years) attending a special epilepsy centre over 1 year were provided with helmets. The types of protective measures, seizure frequency, types of injuries, circumstances and outcome were recorded.

RESULTS:

Fourteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-one seizures were recorded in the 33 patients, which resulted in 59 injuries. The seizure-related injury risk was 4/1000 seizures. Scalp and facial bruises were the commonest injury (51%). Additional protective measures, such as bed guards and padding of dinner tables and sinks, were used for 57% of these students. Helmets were in use in 46% of the accidents; 68% of these accidents resulted in facial or scalp injuries, which required medical attention in 48%. Helmets were not in use in 41% of accidents; 57% of these accidents resulted in facial or scalp injuries, which required medical attention in 36%. Data on wearing of helmets in the accidents were unavailable in 13%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Injuries continue to occur despite the use of helmets. Changes to the helmet design and modifications to suit the seizure type may improve the protection offered by helmets.

PMID:

 

15896983

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Publication Types, MeSH Terms

Link

Seizure. 2005 Jul;14(5):347-53.

Seizure-related injuries in a group of young people with epilepsy wearing protective helmets: incidence, types and circumstances.

Deekollu D, Besag FM, Aylett SE.

Source

The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK. david_jsd@hotmail.com

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To provide information on the incidence, types and circumstances of injuries sustained in a group of young people with epilepsy usingprotective helmets.

METHODS:

Thirty-three residential students (21 M, 12 F, age range 5-21, mean 14.5 years) attending a special epilepsy centre over 1 year were provided with helmets. The types of protective measures, seizure frequency, types of injuries, circumstances and outcome were recorded.

RESULTS:

Fourteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-one seizures were recorded in the 33 patients, which resulted in 59 injuries. The seizure-related injury risk was 4/1000 seizures. Scalp and facial bruises were the commonest injury (51%). Additional protective measures, such as bed guards and padding of dinner tables and sinks, were used for 57% of these students. Helmets were in use in 46% of the accidents; 68% of these accidents resulted in facial or scalp injuries, which required medical attention in 48%. Helmets were not in use in 41% of accidents; 57% of these accidents resulted in facial or scalp injuries, which required medical attention in 36%. Data on wearing of helmets in the accidents were unavailable in 13%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Injuries continue to occur despite the use of helmets. Changes to the helmet design and modifications to suit the seizure type may improve the protection offered by helmets.

PMID:

 

15896983

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]