The relationship between executive function, AD/HD, overeating, and obesity.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and obesity are complex, costly disorders affecting physical, emotional, and social well-being. Executive function (EF), the cognitive ability for self-understanding and regulation, is often impaired in AD/HD, yet rarely considered in treatment of obese individuals with AD/HD. The hypothesis for this study is that low EF is seen in individuals with 4 or more symptoms of adult AD/HD and is associated with overeating behaviors leading to obesity. A nonexperimental single group design was used. A volunteer convenience sample (n = 125) completed EF, AD/HD, eating, and BMI measures. Path analysis tested the hypothesized/ modified model. Chi square (χ(2) = 6.15, df = 6, p = .4) and RMSEA (0.014) indicated a very good fit for the data. Assessment of EF and AD/HD symptoms in obese individuals is supported. Further study is needed to more fully understand this relationship and to develop strategies to address overeating behaviors in obese individuals with AD/HD.