1. Food Additives and Child Hyperactivity To investigate whether food additives are attributed to hyperactivity in children. By Olivia Anderson, Emily Williams, Gabi Roberts, Anne-Marie Bevan, Laura Sands, Melanie Tracey & Katrina Sohrabian U14623 3 rd of November 2008
2. Hypothesis – food additives have an effect on hyperactivity on children Null Hypothesis – food additives do not have an effect on hyperactivity on children Working Theory Experimental Style The experimental design style we chose to use is: Single blind study - This is specifically used to prevent research outcomes from being influenced and skewed by the end result.
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4. Test Groups: The investigation consists of 4 experimental groups: 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. Group 1a (3-5 years) All 40 children have a history of hyperactivity, but are healthy without any other medical condition (not on any medication, or do not have any special needs). 10 boys, 10 girls from a London area . 5 boys and 5 girls = lower socio-economic group CDE. 5 boys and 5 girls = higher socio-economic group ABC. 10 boys, 10 girls from Newcastle area . 5 boys and 5 girls = lower socio-economic group CDE. 5 boys and 5 girls = higher socio-economic group ABC. Group 1b (8-10 years) Same as group 1a but with children aged 8 to 10 years, sample size = 40 Group 2a( Age: 3-5yrs) All 40 children have no history of hyperactivity, but are healthy without any other medical condition (not on any medication, or have any special needs). 10 boys, 10 girls from London area . 5 boys and 5 girls = lower socio-economic group CDE. 5 boys and 5 girls = higher socio-economic group ABC. 10 boys, 10 girls from Newcastle area . 5 boys and 5 girls = lower socio-economic group CDE. 5 boys and 5 girls = higher socio-economic group ABC. Group 2b (8-10 years) same as group 2a, but using children aged 8-10 years old. Each experimental group consists of 40 individuals thus, the total sample size is 160 children. Additive Experiment
5. The independent variable (IV) of the experiment is the food additive administered within the drink. Food additives: Orange = Tartrazine E102, Sunset yellow E110, Quinoline yellow E104 Blue =Indigo Carmine E132 (Synthetic ‘coal tar’ dye). The four products for testing : Test product A1 - Orange coloured fruit flavoured drink. Which contains only these isolated food colourings: Tartrazine E102, Sunset yellow E110, Quinoline yellow E104. Test product A2 – Orange coloured fruit flavoured drink without the food additives. (placebo). Test product B1 - Blue coloured fruit flavoured drink. Which contains only these isolated food colourings. Test product B2 – Blue coloured fruit flavoured drink without the food additives. (placebo). Drinks have been chosen as they are easy to administer, and acceptable to give to young children as part of their everyday routine. Products A2 and B2 are placebo. Variables
6. Procedure – Time Plan Test is to be conducted in August, when all children are on school holidays. This helps with assessment precision, as it would be more difficult to control whilst children were at school. Process for administering the test products - timing of experiment. Week - 1. Orange test product A1. Given to groups 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. Week - 2. Orange test product A1. Given to groups 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. Week - 3. Orange test product A2. Given to groups 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. Week - 4. Orange test product A2. Given to groups 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. Week - 5. Break from test. Week - 6. Break from test. Week - 7. Blue test product B1. Given to groups 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. Week - 8. Blue test product B1. Given to groups 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. Week - 9. Blue test product B2. Given to groups 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. Week - 10. Blue test product B2. Given to groups 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. Experiment duration: 10 weeks. One 250ml drink will be given to each child at 9am, 1pm and 5pm as this accords with typical meal times for children. The additives in this experiment have been selected because they are renowned for causing hyperactivity in children. Hyperactivity behaviour is defined as interrupting, fiddling, temper tantrums, and lack of concentration.
