Children and adolescents in the United States exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) are at risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and conduct disorder, new research suggests.
In a national survey study of more than 2000 nonsmokers between the ages of 8 and 15 years, investigators found that serum cotinine levels, signifying SHS exposure, were positively associated with symptoms of all these disorders — and were especially correlated for boys.
"Our results have important public health implications," write Frank C. Bandiera, MPH, from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, Florida, and colleagues.
"Given the critical developmental period of childhood and adolescence, the effects of policy to reduce or ban smoking in public places and in the home may help prevent or reduce the progression of illness in at-risk individuals and alleviate the heavy burden...attributable not only to tobacco use but also to mental disorders," they write.
Although the findings are in line with previous research showing a link between mental health outcomes and SHS exposure, the investigators note that this study did not "establish the biological or psychological mechanisms of association."
Still, the investigators note that this new research does provide "critical and much-needed data."
The study is published in the April issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
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I always get a kick out of those smoking "studies". Less people smoke now than 25-40 years ago. Yet more children under 15 have ADHD and/or depression than ever before. I am not saying smoking doesn't contribute to health conditions, because even without those million dollar studies it is common sense that inhaling smoke into your lungs repeatedly is not a good idea!
ReplyDeleteHowever there are people that grew up in smoke free homes and never touched a cigarette that have emphysema. There are children that have never been exposed to smoking that have severe ADHD, mental impairments, emotional outbursts, autism, and other "conditions".
When I was growing up I can't think of any mass school shootings. I don't recall one time that teachers had to come into my elementary school and forcibly remove a student that was being violent because he/she was asked to do an assignment. I never saw a child talk back to their parents (without expecting to get a backhand across the mouth). Kids that didn't do their work in school were put in special classes, called special ed and worked their butts off to get back into a "normal" classroom to show they were not "special". If a child was in 3rd grade they did 3rd grade work along with every other child in that class. When you got an award you earned that award for striving to do your best. If you were in sports you earned your place on the team. If you lost a game you would be bummed but it made you try harder the next time.
All of these diagnosis or labels as I prefer to call them are not a product of second hand smoke, they are a product of separating child and reality! Life is not a bed of roses. We all face hard times, we all hear the word "no", we don't get everything we want, we have to learn how to adjust to circumstance. Sadly kids in the past 15-20 years are receiving less parenting and more material items to compensate for the lack of parental interaction and serious lack of togetherness and love.
...Survey - how many cigarette, cigar and pipe smokers never smoke around children.
ReplyDeleteSo is sleeping to much, eating too much, girl watching too much....
ReplyDeleteAn Army drill seargent once pointed out that, every drill cycle, he gets dozens of young men who have been diagnosed with ADHD. They couldn't sit still in class, couldn't pay attention in school, wouldn't follow directions, etc. That is, until a Drill Seargent got in their ace ONE time. They somehow immediately acquired the ability to stand at attention until told otherwise, shut their mouth until asked to speak, and listen attentively when spoken to....what was the difference? In the military, your momma ain't around to make an excuse for you, there aren't college trained psychologists to tell everyone why you can't control yourself and you are held accountable (VERY accountable) for your behavior. Works like a charm.
ReplyDelete9:06
ReplyDeleteGot vaccines?