Hyperactivity
Template:Short description Template:Redirect Hyperactivity is a psychological or physical state of abnormally high activity, a symptom of certain medical or psychiatric conditions, and a common psychological syndrome.<ref name=Spetter>Spetter, D., Wertlieb, D. and Vashcencko, M.V. (2010). Hyperactivity. In The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology (eds I.B. Weiner and W.E. Craighead). https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470479216.corpsy0424</ref> As a behavioral descriptor, hyperactivity includes increased movement such as fidgeting or constant movement, talking too much, difficulty concentrating, and other manifestations.<ref name=Spetter /><ref name=Medline>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The colloquial term hyper is an abbreviation of hyperactive.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Causes
Medical and psychiatric conditions
Hyperactivity is associated with several medical and psychiatric or psychological conditions and can be a side effect of certain medications.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Template:Further Hyperactivity is a hallmark of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and developmentally inappropriate.Template:Refn ADHD symptoms arise from executive dysfunction.Template:Refn
Diet
Popular belief and reports in the medical and scientific literature have linked various dietary exposures to hyperactivity. Although concerns have been expressed about a linkage between food additives and hyperactivity, there is no clear evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship.<ref name="amchova">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Sugar consumption
Template:See also The majority of studies show no connection between sugar and hyperactivity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Busting the sugar-hyperactivity myth CNN</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Some people, particularly parents and teachers, believe that sugar causes hyperactivity, and that children's behavior often gets more rowdy, excited and energetic after they eat too much sugary food and drink too many sugary drinks (such as chocolates/sweets or soft drinks). One particular study found that the perception by parents regarding their children's hyperactivity depended on their belief as to whether they had been given sugar, and thus, a placebo effect was observed.<ref>citation needed</ref> Regardless of this, the studies conducted present that there is no correlation between sugar and hyperactivity.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Food dyes and additives
In the 20th century, widespread public belief that artificial food coloring causes ADHD-like hyperactivity in children originated from Benjamin Feingold, a pediatric allergist from California, who proposed in 1973 that salicylates, artificial colors, and artificial flavors cause hyperactivity in children.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> However, there is no clinical evidence to support broad claims that food coloring causes food intolerance and ADHD-like behavior in children.<ref>Tomaska LD and Brooke-Taylor, S. Food Additives – General pp. 449–454 in Encyclopedia of Food Safety, Vol 2: Hazards and Diseases. Eds, Motarjemi Y et al. Academic Press, 2013. Template:ISBN</ref>Template:Rp<ref name="KavaleForness1983">Template:Cite journal</ref> It is possible that certain food colorings may act as a trigger in those who are genetically predisposed.<ref name=FDAdyecomm/><ref name=Peds2012>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The UK's Food Standards Agency commissioned a study of six food dyes, dubbed the "Southampton 6" (tartrazine, Allura Red AC (Red 40), Ponceau 4R, Quinoline Yellow, sunset yellow, carmoisine), and sodium benzoate (a preservative) on children in the general population, who consumed them in beverages.<ref name="FDAdyecomm">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=FSAguideline>Sarah Chapman of Chapman Technologies on behalf of Food Standards Agency in Scotland. March 2011 [Guidelines on approaches to the replacement of Tartrazine, Allura Red, Ponceau 4R, Quinoline Yellow, Sunset Yellow and Carmoisine in food and beverages]</ref> The study found "a possible link between the consumption of these artificial colours and a sodium benzoate preservative and increased hyperactivity" in the children;<ref name=FDAdyecomm /><ref name=FSAguideline /> the advisory committee to the FSA that evaluated the study also determined that because of study limitations, the results could not be extrapolated to the general population, and further testing was recommended.<ref name=FDAdyecomm />