New research has found that children aged 4-7 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to be overweight or obese. Additionally, child with ADHD tend to perform worse on fitness tests and consume more calories than their peers without ADHD. The paper was published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which interfere with daily functioning. Symptoms include difficulties maintaining attention, disorganization, and forgetfulness. Hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms often manifest as excessive talking, fidgeting, and difficulty waiting one’s turn. ADHD, typically diagnosed in childhood, can persist into adulthood and negatively affect various life aspects, including academic performance, social interactions, and work productivity.
The exact cause of ADHD is not fully understood. Treatment often includes a combination of behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and medication to manage symptoms and improve functioning. In the United States, estimates state that around 9-10% of children suffer from this disorder.
Study author Madeline M Curzon and her colleagues noted that ADHD might have shared neurobiological underpinnings with obesity. Both of these disorders include deficits in the brain’s sensitivity to rewards and issues with executive functioning. ADHD might also be contributing over time to poor health behaviors. To examine this, these authors conducted a study in which they compared a group of children with ADHD to their peers without this disorder.
The study included 223 children aged 4 to 7, recruited from a U.S. region with a large Hispanic population for a broader clinical intervention study on ADHD. Of these, 127 displayed clinically significant ADHD symptoms, according to parent reports. The cohort was predominantly male (66%) and Hispanic (over 80%), with 74% having married parents and 83% of the data reported by mothers.
During a one-hour laboratory visit with their parents, the children’s height and weight were measured, and they completed a brief fitness test. Parents provided information on their children’s dietary habits. At the visit’s end, an accelerometer was attached to each child’s wrist, and parents were instructed to ensure its wear for the following week. This device measures physical activity and movement, offering data on intensity, frequency, and duration.
Results showed that children with ADHD were twice as likely to be overweight or obese compared to their peers without this disorder. Girls, but not boys, with ADHD showed higher physical activity compared to girls without this disorder as represented by the number of steps made during a day. However, children with ADHD tended to show poorer physical fitness compared to children without this disorder.
There was no significant difference in diet quality between the groups, based on the Healthy Eating Index, but children with ADHD tended to consume more calories than those without the disorder.
“Our results provide evidence that those with ADHD may be at greater risk for being less fit, consuming more calories, and ultimately having greater risk for having an Ov/O BMI [overweight or obese body mass index values] compared to TD children [children without ADHD]. Given the age and ethnicity of our sample, it appears that the relationship between ADHD and poor physical health may be prevalent in Hispanic/ Latinx populations and may be occurring earlier than previously identified. As the obesity epidemic continues, identifying vulnerable populations is essential for prevention,” the study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the links between ADHD and obesity. However, it should be noted that most of the study participants came from one ethnic group. Given that cultural norms and living habits are very strong determinants of both physical activity and dietary habits, it is possible that results might not be the same on children from other cultures.
The paper, “Exploring Differences in Physical Health in Young Children With and Without ADHD,” was authored by Madeline M Curzon, Anthony S Dick, Catherine Coccia, and Paulo A Graziano.