Using data from a government health survey, researchers have found that on average, children taking ADHD medications like Ritalin, Adderall, and Strattera have lower bone density in the hip and lower back than kids who aren't using the drugs – one quarter of those surveyed displayed the symptoms.

While it may be due to the drugs’ ability to cause stomach upset and dampen appetite, for now, it’s too soon to tell the exact cause. But the study authors emphasized that the data doesn’t mean parents should take their kids off the medications. Rather, it’s important for parents to understand how to improve bone strength in their children.