Children with ADHD may be at Higher Risk for Obesity: Study

A recent study shows that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be at a greater risk to become obese and sedentary as teenagers.

As previous studies have suggested a link between ADHD and obesity, researchers have been uncertain whether one is the direct link of the other.

Yet this new study followed close to 7,000 children in Finland to determine if their ADHD symptoms at age eight were significantly related to higher odds of obesity at the age of 16. Children who typically suffer from symptoms of ADHD are less physically active as teenagers, which could potentially put them at a higher risk of obesity. Researchers used questionnaires completed by parents and teachers to assess the children for ADHD and conduct disorder symptoms at ages eight and 16.

Background information from the study notes that ADHD affects approximately two to five percent of school-aged children and young people in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it affects 6.4 million children ages 4 to 17, with more boys affected than girls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The main symptoms of the problem include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity that can lead to other issues.

Study results showed that approximately nine percent of children in the study who screened positive for symptoms of ADHD at age 8 were at a higher risk for obesity at age 16.

"Obesity is a growing problem that we need to watch out for in all children and young people, but these findings suggest that it's particularly important for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder," said Alina Rodriguez from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, via a press release. "It appears that lack of physical activity might be a key factor. We think encouraging children with ADHD to be more physically active could improve their behaviour problems as well as helping them to stay a healthy weight, and studies should be carried out to test this theory."

As results also showed that 8-year-olds with ADHD were more likely to suffer from inattention as teenagers, binge eating was not linked as a possible risk factor that could increase the risk of obesity.

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.