Abstract
Although a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity was reported in clinical samples of patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD), an association between overweight and ADHD has yet not been established in the general population in childhood.
As both disorders are common and significantly affect psychosocial functioning, we investigated the prevalence of ADHD in
overweight/obese youth and vice versa. In a cross-sectional nationally representative and community based survey 2,863 parents
and their children aged 11–17 years rated symptoms on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-based German
ADHD Rating scale. Weight and height were assessed by professionals. Body mass index was categorized according to national
age and sex specific reference values. Overall, 4.2% of the respondents met criteria for ADHD. The prevalence of ADHD was
significantly higher for overweight/obese (7%) than for normal weight (3.5%) and underweight (4.9%) children. In a logistic
regression analysis controlling for age, gender, and socio-economic status, overweight/obese children were twice as likely
to have an ADHD diagnosis (OR = 2.0). Vice versa, adjusting for all covariates, children with ADHD had an OR of 1.9 for overweight/obesity
status. For all weight-status groups, children with ADHD more frequently reported eating problems as compared to their non-clinical
counterparts. Overweight/obese respondents with ADHD displayed the highest level of health services utilization. A clinician
should be aware of the significant risk for a child with ADHD to become overweight and for an overweight child to have ADHD.
Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the association between ADHD and overweight/obesity.
Disorder (ADHD), an association between overweight and ADHD has yet not been established in the general population in childhood.
As both disorders are common and significantly affect psychosocial functioning, we investigated the prevalence of ADHD in
overweight/obese youth and vice versa. In a cross-sectional nationally representative and community based survey 2,863 parents
and their children aged 11–17 years rated symptoms on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-based German
ADHD Rating scale. Weight and height were assessed by professionals. Body mass index was categorized according to national
age and sex specific reference values. Overall, 4.2% of the respondents met criteria for ADHD. The prevalence of ADHD was
significantly higher for overweight/obese (7%) than for normal weight (3.5%) and underweight (4.9%) children. In a logistic
regression analysis controlling for age, gender, and socio-economic status, overweight/obese children were twice as likely
to have an ADHD diagnosis (OR = 2.0). Vice versa, adjusting for all covariates, children with ADHD had an OR of 1.9 for overweight/obesity
status. For all weight-status groups, children with ADHD more frequently reported eating problems as compared to their non-clinical
counterparts. Overweight/obese respondents with ADHD displayed the highest level of health services utilization. A clinician
should be aware of the significant risk for a child with ADHD to become overweight and for an overweight child to have ADHD.
Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the association between ADHD and overweight/obesity.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Contribution
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-011-0230-0
- Authors
- Michael Erhart, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Nora Wille, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Barbara Sawitzky-Rose, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Heike Hölling, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer, Research Unit Child Public Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827