The research is attempting to associate maternal gestational diabetes (GDM) with low
socioeconomic status, or SES with the later development of attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder. Through the research paper, the authors also link GDM with SES, explaining that a
sedentary lifestyle and dietary choices both play a role in its development, as well as the
prevalence in minority communities. As such, we can view the research as attempting to show
that poverty is one prevalent factor in the development of ADD/ADHD.
This research was conducted at Queens College in NY, headed by Dr. Yoko Nomura. An
economically diverse sample was selected, consisting of mothers who had both developed and
not developed GDM. A longitudinal study was conducted, culminating in the questioning of
parents regarding the behaviors of their three and four year old children using ADHD Rating
Scare-IV as a metric, extending until the children turned six. While the study was large,
consisting of a pool of 212 participants, the sampled populations were all geographically based
close to the college. The research was skewed in a 2:1 ratio favoring the at risk population to
typically developing populations, the former of which had six inattention or six impulsive
symptoms as rated by teachers and/or parents. Most significant to the GDM mothers was the
inattention scores, but hyperactivity and impulsivity were not statistically significant between
GDM and non-GDM mothers’ offspring. Being of low SES was the largest predictor of high
scores in all three domains. There was both a two-fold increase in GDM and SES populations
when the children had reached six years of age.
However, the most crippling event to these children occurred when GDM and SES was
co-morbid. These children also displayed a lowered IQ, compromised behavioral functioning,
poor language usage, and behavioral and emotional impairments. Moreover, in the presence of
socioeconomic status, or SES with the later development of attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder. Through the research paper, the authors also link GDM with SES, explaining that a
sedentary lifestyle and dietary choices both play a role in its development, as well as the
prevalence in minority communities. As such, we can view the research as attempting to show
that poverty is one prevalent factor in the development of ADD/ADHD.
This research was conducted at Queens College in NY, headed by Dr. Yoko Nomura. An
economically diverse sample was selected, consisting of mothers who had both developed and
not developed GDM. A longitudinal study was conducted, culminating in the questioning of
parents regarding the behaviors of their three and four year old children using ADHD Rating
Scare-IV as a metric, extending until the children turned six. While the study was large,
consisting of a pool of 212 participants, the sampled populations were all geographically based
close to the college. The research was skewed in a 2:1 ratio favoring the at risk population to
typically developing populations, the former of which had six inattention or six impulsive
symptoms as rated by teachers and/or parents. Most significant to the GDM mothers was the
inattention scores, but hyperactivity and impulsivity were not statistically significant between
GDM and non-GDM mothers’ offspring. Being of low SES was the largest predictor of high
scores in all three domains. There was both a two-fold increase in GDM and SES populations
when the children had reached six years of age.
However, the most crippling event to these children occurred when GDM and SES was
co-morbid. These children also displayed a lowered IQ, compromised behavioral functioning,
poor language usage, and behavioral and emotional impairments. Moreover, in the presence of
