Children with symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at high risk for obesity in adulthood.
Researchers examined data on 15,197 adolescents followed from 1995 to 2009 and found that having three or more of any of the symptoms of ADHD such as inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity significantly increases the chances of being obese.
Therefore, as the number of symptoms increase, the prevalence of obesity also increased. Even among children with only symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsiveness - the most influential of the risk factors studied - the risk of obesity rose to 63 percent. These symptoms were also associated with higher weight gain in the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The above findings support the idea that certain self-regulation capacities, like the ability to regulate one's impulses, could be a relevant trait to understand why some people may be more vulnerable to obesity, the researchers concluded, adding that this might help with the design of interventions.
Researchers examined data on 15,197 adolescents followed from 1995 to 2009 and found that having three or more of any of the symptoms of ADHD such as inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity significantly increases the chances of being obese.
Therefore, as the number of symptoms increase, the prevalence of obesity also increased. Even among children with only symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsiveness - the most influential of the risk factors studied - the risk of obesity rose to 63 percent. These symptoms were also associated with higher weight gain in the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The above findings support the idea that certain self-regulation capacities, like the ability to regulate one's impulses, could be a relevant trait to understand why some people may be more vulnerable to obesity, the researchers concluded, adding that this might help with the design of interventions.