Do you have a hyperactive child? It's always the argumentative one with the temper tantrums, the faddy eater who doesn't seem to listen when spoken to, fidgeting in his seat.

Or the one who infuriates you because he can't wait his turn, constantly interrupting, as if to show you up as a bad parent incapable of teaching him manners.

Exhausted from sleepless nights and chaotic days, it's difficult to keep your cool and there are times when you feel close to losing control.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly treated with prescription drugs and/or psychotherapy.

No regard is given to the child's environment, nutritional requirements or digestive health, which is strange since it is well established that all these factors significantly influence human behaviour.

Many ADHD children also suffer from various health problems such as food intolerances, gut problems, skin rashes and low immunity.

There is considerable evidence that such children have vitamin and mineral deficiencies and require digestive support as well as higher amounts of essential fatty acids to feed their brains.

It is astounding that the team providing a diagnosis and management of hyperactive children doesn't include a nutritional consultant.

This failure to address underlying biochemical causes is a form of child abuse.

Government-backed studies have been in the news recently, connecting behavioural disorders in children with the consumption of food additives and preservatives.

After years of warnings, the evidence now is so strong that even the British Medical Association has agreed that all junk food adverts before the 9pm watershed should be banned.

The response from the food manufacturers has been predictable as they protect their own interests.

But we must take issue with the failure of our Government to stand up to these pressures.

Official tactics follow a three-step defence process: Denial, delay and diversion. Diversionary action is telling vending machine manufacturers to cut down on sugar levels in drinks instead of banning them or letting Cadbury's build a few sports halls instead of removing their ads during prime time TV.

Once the sequence completes, it restarts again at the denial phase.

We should be able to expect our political leaders to make hard choices on our behalf and to ban the promotion of killer foods.

If harmful substances are being produced and marketed at kids for commercial gain, then the practice should be stopped.

No questions, no ifs or buts - it must simply stop.

Sally Bunday, of the Hyperactive Children's Support Group (HACSG), has been campaigning for almost 30 years to have junk removed from kids' foods, drawing attention to the role of nutrition in childhood behaviour problems.

With her mother, Vicky Colquhoun, she published an important research paper about the potential role of essential fatty acids in ADHD.

Sally continues to offer science-based information and practical support to parents of hyperactive children, schools, health professionals and policymakers.

This year's summer conference They Are What They Eat takes place in Bognor on June 30 and includes presentations from doctors, researchers and nutritionists. Apply to the HACSG, 71 Whyke Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 7PD or phone 01243 551313.

Martina is a qualified nutritional therapist and works at the Crescent Clinic of Complementary Medicine and the Dolphin House Clinic, both in Brighton. Call 01273 324790 or visit www.thehealthbank.co.uk
If you have a question for Martina, write to her at Features Department, The Argus, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton BN1 8AR or email features@theargus.co.uk