J Abnorm Child Psychol August 1994 PMID 7963081

Effects of sugar ingestion expectancies on mother-child interactions.

D W Hoover, R Milich

Mentions

119
Peak: 4 in May 2024
across 6 sources since Dec 2019

Extended reach

154,161
potential audience

Total likes

4,048

Video views

102,513

Mentions per month

Dec 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News72 articles
  • X / Twitter19 posts
  • Blogs15 articles
  • Facebook8 posts
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Bluesky2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions emphasize that sugar does not cause hyperactivity, supported by references to scientific studies like Hoover & Milich (1994), with posters explaining that beliefs and expectations influence perceptions of child behavior. The tone varies from informative to skeptical, reflecting an appreciation for evidence-based insights but also a recognition of ongoing misconceptions.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the study's findings that sugar does not directly cause hyperactivity, with multiple posters referencing reputable sources and emphasizing the role of expectations.

InterestModerate interest

Posts show moderate curiosity, often referencing well-known studies and debates about sugar and behavior, but without high emotional investment.

EngagementModerate engagement

The majority of posts cite specific studies and articulate nuanced opinions, indicating active engagement with the research.

ImpactNeutral impact

While some posts highlight the significance of understanding the psychological effects of expectations, many focus on clarifying misconceptions, resulting in a moderate overall perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

  • This study investigated whether mothers' beliefs about the effects of sugar influence their perceptions and interactions with their children, rather than the sugar itself.
  • Thirty-five boys aged 5-7, identified by their mothers as sensitive to sugar, participated; mothers were told their children received either a sugar dose or a placebo, but all children actually received aspartame.
  • Results showed that mothers who believed their children had consumed sugar rated them as more hyperactive, exercised more control, and interacted differently, with these effects being stronger in mothers with a more rigid cognitive style.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Szlater
@Szlater2 · X

@wanyeburkett There’s a good experiment where they determined that the presence of sugar or the belief that sugar was present influenced how parents reported the behaviour of their children. https://t.co/9PSlRwseS5

Jan 21, 2024 · 20 likes · 603 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

Fun fact: #sugar is often blamed for causing hyperactivity in kids but this isnt backed by evidence. but there is evidence that expectations of post-sugar hyperactivity makes people think kids are more hyper https://t.co/aV5a3aEdel https://t.co/3Izyif4k6M https://t.co/PaRejQFWlg

Dec 14, 2021 · 10 likes · 7 shares · 8,788 followers View post →
BaumbergOwl
@BaumbergOwl · X

@HoneyBunnyMum Bei Kindern mit ADHS wurden tatsächlich mehrfach Korrelationen zwischen ADHS und Zuckerkonsum festgestellt. Aber Korrelation ist kein ursächlicher Zusammenhang! Nicht Zucker macht Kinder hyperaktiv, sondern Kinder mit ADHS neigen zu erhöhtem Zuckerkonsum. https://t.co/OXRDBE01XA

Apr 7, 2025 · 7 likes · 2,004 followers View post →
ADAPT - ADHS in Österreich
@adaptadhs.bsky.social · Bluesky

Ausführlicher Kommentar von Russell Barkley zu der hartnäckigen Legende, dass Zucker einen Einfluss auf ADHS haben soll. Nein, da ist nichts. Wenn es eine Kausalität gibt, dann andersrum: je mehr ADHS, umso mehr Impulsivität und Lust auf Süßes. #adhsernährung #urbanlegends youtu.be/LYRVYIknxbs...

May 16, 2024 · 4 likes View post →
Matt Wasowski
@mwasowski · X

@Sci_Phile FYI, here's the link to the study abstract that demonstrates that parents expect their kids to be hyper after eating sugar: https://t.co/K428X9Ma1V

Oct 14, 2022 · 3 likes · 224 followers View post →
ADAPT - ADHS In Österreich
@adapt_adhs · X

Kommentar von Russ Barkley zu der hartnäckigen Legende, dass Zucker einen Einfluss auf ADHS haben soll. Nein, da ist nichts. Wenn es eine Kausalität gibt, dann andersrum: je mehr ADHS, umso mehr Impulsivität und Lust auf Süßes. #adhsernährung #urbanlegends https://t.co/V7qItW8mOm

May 16, 2024 · 3 likes · 1 share · 192 followers View post →

All mentions

God's Gift to Warthogs
@CarlOrkmansen · X

Wild stuff! https://t.co/ThrgFjZigl https://t.co/mni0lhB3FH

Aug 20, 2025 · 1,226 followers View post →
BaumbergOwl
@BaumbergOwl · X

@HoneyBunnyMum Bei Kindern mit ADHS wurden tatsächlich mehrfach Korrelationen zwischen ADHS und Zuckerkonsum festgestellt. Aber Korrelation ist kein ursächlicher Zusammenhang! Nicht Zucker macht Kinder hyperaktiv, sondern Kinder mit ADHS neigen zu erhöhtem Zuckerkonsum. https://t.co/OXRDBE01XA

Apr 7, 2025 · 7 likes · 2,004 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Fun fact: #sugar is often blamed for causing hyperactivity in kids but this isnt backed by evidence. but there is evide…

Dec 14, 2024 · 7 shares · 8,788 followers View post →
Ella Fantastica
@ella_fantastica · X

RT @adapt_adhs: Kommentar von Russ Barkley zu der hartnäckigen Legende, dass Zucker einen Einfluss auf ADHS haben soll. Nein, da ist nichts…

May 16, 2024 · 1 share · 15 followers View post →
ADAPT - ADHS In Österreich
@adapt_adhs · X

Kommentar von Russ Barkley zu der hartnäckigen Legende, dass Zucker einen Einfluss auf ADHS haben soll. Nein, da ist nichts. Wenn es eine Kausalität gibt, dann andersrum: je mehr ADHS, umso mehr Impulsivität und Lust auf Süßes. #adhsernährung #urbanlegends https://t.co/V7qItW8mOm

May 16, 2024 · 3 likes · 1 share · 192 followers View post →
ADAPT - ADHS in Österreich
@adaptadhs.bsky.social · Bluesky

Ausführlicher Kommentar von Russell Barkley zu der hartnäckigen Legende, dass Zucker einen Einfluss auf ADHS haben soll. Nein, da ist nichts. Wenn es eine Kausalität gibt, dann andersrum: je mehr ADHS, umso mehr Impulsivität und Lust auf Süßes. #adhsernährung #urbanlegends youtu.be/LYRVYIknxbs...

May 16, 2024 · 4 likes View post →
bahearn12
@bahearn121 · X

@snopes Good reference: Hoover, D. W., & Milich, R. (1994). Effects of sugar ingestion expectancies on mother-child interactions. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 22, 501-515.

Apr 15, 2024 · 1,400 followers View post →
Szlater
@Szlater2 · X

@wanyeburkett There’s a good experiment where they determined that the presence of sugar or the belief that sugar was present influenced how parents reported the behaviour of their children. https://t.co/9PSlRwseS5

Jan 21, 2024 · 20 likes · 603 followers View post →
bahearn12
@bahearn121 · X

@jimtemu @behaviorpodcast No doubt. Just like: Hoover, D. W., & Milich, R. (1994). Effects of sugar ingestion expectancies on mother-child interactions. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 22, 501-515.

Jan 6, 2024 · 1 like · 1,400 followers View post →
@adamanteve.bsky.social
@adamant_eve_ · X

RT @angryhacademic: Fun fact: #sugar is often blamed for causing hyperactivity in kids but this isnt backed by evidence. but there is evide…

Dec 14, 2023 · 7 shares · 292 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Fun fact: #sugar is often blamed for causing hyperactivity in kids but this isnt backed by evidence. but there is evide…

Dec 14, 2023 · 7 shares · 8,788 followers View post →
Binnig at Hanging Rock
@binnig.bsky.social · Bluesky

However if *parents* think their kids have had sugar they’re more likely to perceive their kids as hyperactive: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7963081/

Nov 1, 2023 View post →
La Doña Canaria
@ladoniacanaria · X

https://t.co/JjGJTcr4Xx Este meta análisis del 95 demostró que no existía evidencia suficiente en los estudios sobre el tema para concluir que se alteraban https://t.co/TaoWR8SCnv

Sep 2, 2023 · 2 likes · 1,384 followers View post →
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@michele_spo · X

RT @angryhacademic: Fun fact: #sugar is often blamed for causing hyperactivity in kids but this isnt backed by evidence. but there is evide…

Dec 14, 2022 · 7 shares · 671 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Fun fact: #sugar is often blamed for causing hyperactivity in kids but this isnt backed by evidence. but there is evide…

Dec 14, 2022 · 7 shares · 8,788 followers View post →
Matt Wasowski
@mwasowski · X

@Sci_Phile FYI, here's the link to the study abstract that demonstrates that parents expect their kids to be hyper after eating sugar: https://t.co/K428X9Ma1V

Oct 14, 2022 · 3 likes · 224 followers View post →
MimeChoir
@ChoirMime · X

@mike_bonatakis @Sci_Phile Here’s one double blind placebo controlled study, the second link is just a regular double blind study. https://t.co/AIFaV5Woql https://t.co/CSi4ajGNhM

Oct 14, 2022 · 1 like · 11 followers View post →
Aaron Lepeska
@AaronLepeska · X

RT @angryhacademic: Fun fact: #sugar is often blamed for causing hyperactivity in kids but this isnt backed by evidence. but there is evide…

Dec 14, 2021 · 7 shares · 189 followers View post →
A. River
@coalhoof · X

RT @angryhacademic: Fun fact: #sugar is often blamed for causing hyperactivity in kids but this isnt backed by evidence. but there is evide…

Dec 14, 2021 · 7 shares · 1,488 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

Fun fact: #sugar is often blamed for causing hyperactivity in kids but this isnt backed by evidence. but there is evidence that expectations of post-sugar hyperactivity makes people think kids are more hyper https://t.co/aV5a3aEdel https://t.co/3Izyif4k6M https://t.co/PaRejQFWlg

Dec 14, 2021 · 10 likes · 7 shares · 8,788 followers View post →
Jay Medenwaldt - Psych Apologist
@JayMedenwaldt · X

One of my favorite studies. Sugar does NOT cause hyperactivity, but parents are fooled by their own expectations. https://t.co/r3QE8vacXm

Dec 3, 2019 · 2 likes · 5,282 followers View post →