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It may seem somewhat obvious to parents of kids with the condition: the better the weather is outside, the better it is for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, a recent study has found that more sunlight does not simply enable children with ADHD to run around outside more often; greater amounts of sunlight helps decrease incidences of ADHD altogether.

The study was conducted by researchers from Leiden University in the Netherlands, Ohio State University in the United States and Utrecht University in the Netherlands. The study looked at the relationship between sunlight - or "solar intensity," as the researchers put it - and rates of ADHD.

According to Psych Central, in areas were sunlight is abundant, children tend to suffer from ADHD less often. The study found that the link was true, even despite various factors, like low birth weight, socioeconomic status, latitude and infant mortality levels.

Researchers believe that the link can be attributed, in part, to levels of melatonin. The blue light from devices like computers, tablets and television right before bedtime prevents the onset of melatonin. That, in turn, can lead to poor quality sleep, and Counsel and Heal previously reported that sleep quality is linked to learning disorders in children. In theory, sunlight may serve to counteract the effects of blue lights.

Previous studies have found that ADHD is linked to genetic causes. However, researchers continue to search for environmental factors that may affect the condition.

However, the link between sunlight and ADHD is probably not connected to Vitamin D. Previous studies on the vitamin has found that it had no connection to behavioral problems.

The link was imperfect though, of course. Certain sunny states in the southeast, like Florida, do not have particularly low rates of ADHD. In addition, cloudy state Illinois had an ADHD rate that was comparable to that of California, at 6.2 percent. For comparison, Ohio had an ADHD rate of over 13 percent.

More research into the matter will need to be connected. However, the finding may lead to important results if clinicians can find a connection between symptoms of ADHD and exposure to light.

The study was published in the journal Biological Psychiatry.