OBJECTIVE: To explore the link between pediatric obesity and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by examining whether executive functioning (EF) and medication status are associated with body mass index (BMI) and weight status in children with ADHD. METHOD: Participants for this study included 80 children (mean age=10 years, 9 months) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD, confirmed by a comprehensive clinical diagnostic assessment. Children's EF was measured using three neuropsychological tests, and severity of ADHD symptoms and medication status were obtained from parent report. Children's height and weight were also measured during the visit using a wall-mounted stadiometer and a balance beam scale. RESULTS: Children with ADHD who performed poorly on the neuropsychological battery had greater BMI z-scores, and were more likely to be classified as overweight/obese compared with children with ADHD who performed better on the neuropsychological battery. In addition, children with ADHD who were taking a stimulant medication had significantly lower BMI z-scores compared with children with ADHD who were not taking medication or who were taking a non-stimulant medication. CONCLUSION: EF is more impaired among children with ADHD and co-occurring weight problems, highlighting the importance of self-regulation as a link between pediatric obesity and ADHD.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the link between pediatric obesity and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by examining whether executive functioning (EF) and medication status are associated with body mass index (BMI) and weight status in children with ADHD. METHOD:Participants for this study included 80 children (mean age=10 years, 9 months) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD, confirmed by a comprehensive clinical diagnostic assessment. Children's EF was measured using three neuropsychological tests, and severity of ADHD symptoms and medication status were obtained from parent report. Children's height and weight were also measured during the visit using a wall-mounted stadiometer and a balance beam scale. RESULTS:Children with ADHD who performed poorly on the neuropsychological battery had greater BMI z-scores, and were more likely to be classified as overweight/obese compared with children with ADHD who performed better on the neuropsychological battery. In addition, children with ADHD who were taking a stimulant medication had significantly lower BMI z-scores compared with children with ADHD who were not taking medication or who were taking a non-stimulant medication. CONCLUSION: EF is more impaired among children with ADHD and co-occurring weight problems, highlighting the importance of self-regulation as a link between pediatric obesity and ADHD.
Authors: Brian S Schwartz; Lisa Bailey-Davis; Karen Bandeen-Roche; Jonathan Pollak; Annemarie G Hirsch; Claudia Nau; Ann Y Liu; Thomas A Glass Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2014-03-17 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Roxana L Aguirre Castaneda; Seema Kumar; Robert G Voigt; Cynthia L Leibson; William J Barbaresi; Amy L Weaver; Jill M Killian; Slavica K Katusic Journal: Mayo Clin Proc Date: 2016-02-04 Impact factor: 7.616
Authors: Brittany M Merrill; Anne S Morrow; Dustin Sarver; Shanda Sandridge; Crystal S Lim Journal: J Dev Behav Pediatr Date: 2021-08-01 Impact factor: 2.988
Authors: Stavroula Stavrou; Nicolas C Nicolaides; Ifigenia Papageorgiou; Pinelopi Papadopoulou; Elena Terzioglou; George P Chrousos; Christina Darviri; Evangelia Charmandari Journal: J Mol Biochem Date: 2016-07-31