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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Joe Wicks says junk food causes ADHD

360 replies

RiffRaffBananas · 12/04/2024 09:25

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13292511/amp/Joe-Wicks-blames-ultra-processed-junk-explosion-children-ADHD-reveals-ran-sugar-kid-thinks-love-Sunny-Delight-Wagon-Wheels-jam-sandwiches-caused-behavioural-issues.html

I politely disagree with Joe. I have a very health conscious friend who cooks from scratch, plenty of vegetables and a Mediterranean diet as recommended by all healthcare professionals and has two children. One has ADHD and one doesn’t.

Has Joe jumped the shark on this one?

Joe Wicks blames ultra-processed junk for explosion of kids with ADHD

The nation's favourite work-out guru, nicknamed the Body Coach warned 'every child' now appears to have an ADHD diagnosis.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13292511/amp/Joe-Wicks-blames-ultra-processed-junk-explosion-children-ADHD-reveals-ran-sugar-kid-thinks-love-Sunny-Delight-Wagon-Wheels-jam-sandwiches-caused-behavioural-issues.html

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Daftasabroom · 12/04/2024 10:56

YoureTheTop · 12/04/2024 10:51

@Daftasabroom , but @AnnaKristie doesn't say it causes it, only that there is a link.

How is it linked?

fieldsofbutterflies · 12/04/2024 10:57

raffegiraffe · 12/04/2024 10:55

ADHD is a genetic condition

And many genetic conditions have symptoms that can be improved with diet and exercise, which is what he said if you actually read the article and not the click bait headline.

I really don't know that's such an outlandish suggestion.

VirtualRealitee · 12/04/2024 10:59

AnneLovesGilbert · 12/04/2024 10:22

Did you read the article?

He claimed that a reliance on junk food can lead to lack of energy and a struggle to focus in young people.

True.

”And then we're taught this is what kids eat, kids need these snacks in their lunchbox, this is what they have for dinner. […] So, we're kind of being confused and led down this path that adults have adult food and kids have kids menus and kids food.

And that's the issue we've got because people are cooking less than ever and relying on these processed foods and it's a shame because kids are getting their energy sucked out of them.

”They're struggling at school with focus, they're gaining weight, and probably having really low energy crashes because these foods are just not going to give your children the energy they need to sustain a healthy day — a balanced level of energy.”

All of that is also true. He’s not claiming ADHD doesn’t exist or that it’s caused by junk food. He’s saying his own behaviour when young was caused or exacerbated by a poor diet and I think suggests he’d have diagnosed with ND if he was young now.

The Daily Mail relies on its readers having poor comprehension and a lack of critical thinking skills.

And as you can see here, a fair few posters won't have disappointed.

the80sweregreat · 12/04/2024 11:00

I like Joe and attempt his ' senior ' workouts on u tube , but these statements are really nothing new. Lots of people believe there is a link with diet to so many ailments and conditions and many other doctors and professionals say the same. We are all actually meant to eat 10 pieces of fruit / veg a day , but they originally said 5 as that might be easier to achieve for people ( as one example) and now a push to eat less UPF foods and on it goes.
I know I'm not a healthy eater myself and overweight , but I do try to limit the junk , bit of exercise , not drink too much alcohol, don't smoke , but I'm also aware I could do more.

RiffRaffBananas · 12/04/2024 11:00

Gosh, this has taken off.

My DD is sensitive to preservatives and E numbers and those definitely affect her mood. But that’s as far as it goes.

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 12/04/2024 11:01

RiffRaffBananas · 12/04/2024 11:00

Gosh, this has taken off.

My DD is sensitive to preservatives and E numbers and those definitely affect her mood. But that’s as far as it goes.

Are you going to address the click bait title at all?

SoupDragon · 12/04/2024 11:02

until this, I always thought he had ADHD himself!

I can see how diet etc could create ADHD symptoms or exacerbate them but cause actual ADHD? No.

Bewareofthisonetoo · 12/04/2024 11:03

YABu -lots of science that diet among other factors impacts health - both physical and mental.

YouG0GlenCoco · 12/04/2024 11:03

And how long did it take Joe Wickes to complete all of the necessary qualifications and gain experience in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders?!

Crikeyalmighty · 12/04/2024 11:05

It's common knowledge that a ton of coloured sugar (haribo im looking at you)!makes many kids hyperactive- I think though ADHD is more complicated than that

Bobcat246 · 12/04/2024 11:05

Junk food clearly doesn't "cause" ADHD. However, a rubbish, sugar-filled, ultra-processed diet does result in children displaying some similar (albeit temporary and reversible) symptoms e.g. the sugar highs cause hyperactivity and the lows can cause inattentiveness. Friends who are primary school teachers have noted parents pushing for an ADHD diagnosis when, in some cases though absolutely not all, the cause may actually be in the child's diet and home routine.

LadyKenya · 12/04/2024 11:05

RiffRaffBananas · 12/04/2024 11:00

Gosh, this has taken off.

My DD is sensitive to preservatives and E numbers and those definitely affect her mood. But that’s as far as it goes.

And has zero impact on her physical health?

DyslexicPoster · 12/04/2024 11:08

Craftier · 12/04/2024 09:28

Joe wicks is a fucking gobshite who needs to fuck off.

What qualifications has he got to comment on this?

Yes I wonder what qualifications and post grad research he has done on this? Fuck all I'd guess.

I prefer science not musings

HappyEDT · 12/04/2024 11:09

Yes, upf bad for us but my adhd was genetic, my mother's family are riddled with milder spectrum "disorders" and they grew up on a farm. Not a hormone in the beef, not a pesticide on the the leeks and courgettes. I'm v healthy too. An obsession of mine!
Why do people day these things 🙄

fieldsofbutterflies · 12/04/2024 11:10

YouG0GlenCoco · 12/04/2024 11:03

And how long did it take Joe Wickes to complete all of the necessary qualifications and gain experience in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders?!

On the flip side, what qualifications do all the posters saying there's definitely no link have, I wonder?

Cantonet · 12/04/2024 11:10

ADHD genes are inherited, not caused by unhealthy food. Having said that there is a big rise in the number of kids being diagnosed according to our local clinic. And they don't believe it's purely down to increased awareness. So there is something out there that's causing this rise. Food may be a factor. Or something in the environment.

fieldsofbutterflies · 12/04/2024 11:11

HappyEDT · 12/04/2024 11:09

Yes, upf bad for us but my adhd was genetic, my mother's family are riddled with milder spectrum "disorders" and they grew up on a farm. Not a hormone in the beef, not a pesticide on the the leeks and courgettes. I'm v healthy too. An obsession of mine!
Why do people day these things 🙄

If you read the article, he's not actually saying a bad diet causes ADHD at all.

He's musing about whether there might be a link between diet and the symptoms of ADHD getting worse.

WilmaFlintstone1 · 12/04/2024 11:12

Ooh so Jow Wicks with plenty of cash and the ability to pay people to cook from scratch for his family blames processed food for ADHD.

Meanwhile back in the real world the rest of us cobble together meals after a full day of work and clearly cause ADHD in our kids.

Oh wait….no …I’m approaching 60 and my Mum cooked from scratch. I have ADHD ….diagnosed 20 years ago. Wonder what Joe would blame that on.

Twat.

i seem to recall he became a breastfeeding guru after the birth of his first child too.

Mansplaining how it worked etc like some fucking messiah.

Dickhead.

SkyBloo · 12/04/2024 11:13

I think for some people, a lot sugar and processed foods probably don't help, or even exacerbate ADHD symptoms?

That doesn't mean diet causes adhd

I do also think other factors of a modern lifestyle exacerbate adhd. Excessive screen time, lack of exercise & time outdoors, diet, over stimulation from a sensory perspective etc

We'd be mad to think these things aren't contributing to the rise in people for whom ADHD is materially impairing their ability to function.

fieldsofbutterflies · 12/04/2024 11:15

@WilmaFlintstone1 you clearly didn't read the article because he didn't say that diet causes ADHD 🙄

Everanewbie · 12/04/2024 11:15

I'm sorry OP, I realise that someone who has ADHD, or is a parent of a child with ADHD is likely to have an emotional response to anything that implies that it may be their fault, so sensitivity in discussing this is needed.

I don't feel the JW states that certain foods cause ADHD. His actual words state that his personal experience is that his, and children's behaviour in general is affected by a heavily sugar-laden diet, and that he passionately feels, and indeed research backs up, that people, especially children, can improve behaviour and concentration and mitigate the symptoms of ADHD, and potentially avoid being medicated by adopting a good diet. This shouldn't offend anyone, if anything people might be encouraged by his story and research showing that small changes can have a big impact.

There are a couple of things that wind me up about Joe Wicks, I'm not a fan of all that 'midget tree' talk etc., but that's on me, I have a low annoyance threshold. I also feel that he implies his incredible physique is down to a few jumping jacks and burpees, he clearly lifts heavy and eats a lot more than his cookbook meals. But he's a force for good in the world, and people that hate his message are quite possibly in denial and making excuses for their own inaction.

LollipopsandCrisps · 12/04/2024 11:15

For what it's worth (and sorry about my username given the topic - it's a song reference) Joe does a lot of good work, he was talking about his own experience and in his defence, I don't think he proclaims to be an expert. He should probably be a little more careful about how his words could be misconstued due to the profile he has. I agree with him to some extent - UPF is not good for our bodies and our gut health is linked to our brain and overall health.

fieldsofbutterflies · 12/04/2024 11:15

SkyBloo · 12/04/2024 11:13

I think for some people, a lot sugar and processed foods probably don't help, or even exacerbate ADHD symptoms?

That doesn't mean diet causes adhd

I do also think other factors of a modern lifestyle exacerbate adhd. Excessive screen time, lack of exercise & time outdoors, diet, over stimulation from a sensory perspective etc

We'd be mad to think these things aren't contributing to the rise in people for whom ADHD is materially impairing their ability to function.

100% this.

YouG0GlenCoco · 12/04/2024 11:15

fieldsofbutterflies · 12/04/2024 11:10

On the flip side, what qualifications do all the posters saying there's definitely no link have, I wonder?

I mean, there may well be specialists among us but even if nobody is qualified, at this point in time there is no scientific evidence to say diet causes ADHD.

Does diet impact on the physical and mental health and behaviour of every person, regardless of whether or not they have ADHD? Yes.

crumblingschools · 12/04/2024 11:15

From what I can see he is saying it can impact behaviour not actually cause ADHD.

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