A correlation between an area’s solar intensity and its rates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been established by researchers in Netherlands.

The study, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, examined solar intensity and prevalence of ADHD in 49 U.S. States and 9 non-U.S. countries and attributed a 34 to 57 percent variance in ADHD prevalence to solar intensity. High solar intensity had an “apparent preventative effect” which the study says “might be related to an improvement of circadian clock disturbances.” Adjusting for low birth weight, infant mortality, average income, latitude, and other relevant factors did not change the findings.

Dr. Marc Sorenson, director of The Sunlight Institute, reported on the study on his website.

“It is interesting that the authors suggested that that the mechanism by which sunlight accomplishes this improvement could be a positive change in the circadian rhythm, a factor that had previously been associated with ADHD. It was also interesting that the researchers did not mention vitamin D production by sunlight […],” Sorenson wrote. “Let’s soak up some sunlight, get rid of hyperactivity and start focusing on those things that are important—a good idea for both children and adults!”

Click here to view the study.

Click here to read The Sunlight Institute’s post.

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