Childhood ADHD Tied To Increased Risk Of Obesity In Teens

Linkage between Childhood ADHD and Obesity in Teens

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a very common brain disorder in children. Children suffering from ADHD exhibit various behavioral symptoms such as hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsiveness. Childhood ADHD is commonly characterized by short attention span, easy distraction, and a constant fidgetiness. These symptoms make it very difficult for the child to focus on studies and finish small tasks. Such children also face difficulty getting along with other children and adults.

The brain imaging studies of children suffering from ADHD reveal that although the brain matures in a normal manner, there is a delay of about 3 years. This delay in development of the brain is most pronounced in areas responsible for paying attention, thinking, and planning. 

As per a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have an increased likelihood of becoming obese in their teens. The study was conducted by researchers at the Imperial College in London. They followed about 7000 children in Finland, belonging to the age group of 7-8 years till the time they were 16. The study found that children who were exhibiting symptoms of ADHD when they were 8 years old were more likely to grow up into obese teens. Such children were also more susceptible to leading a sedentary lifestyle.

For the study, data was collected using questionnaires based on lifestyle and health related issues. The data was collected from the sample population when they were 7-8 years old. At 16 years, data was once again collected based on questionnaires and health examinations comprising growth measurement.

The study also found that children who were physically less active at the age of 8 years were likely to suffer from inattention as teenagers. The study suggests that although all physically inactive children are at a risk of becoming obese teenagers, children with ADHD symptoms need special attention to ensure that they lead a physically active lifestyle.

Symptoms of ADHD in Children

A child is considered to be suffering from ADHD if she/he exhibits six or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness or six or more symptoms of inattentiveness.

Symptoms of Hyperactivity and Impulsiveness

The main symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity are listed below:

• Difficulty in sitting still in a quiet surrounding
• Continuous fidgety behavior
• Excessive physical activity
• Being overly talkative
• Difficulty in waiting for a turn
• Interrupting conversations
• Not thinking before acting
• Having almost negligible sense of danger

See Also: What Is ADHD, And Who Gets It?

Symptoms of Inattentiveness

The main symptoms of inattentiveness are listed below:

• Getting very easily distracted
• Having a short attention span
• Not responding when spoken to
• Being forgetful and losing things easily
• Making careless mistakes
• Inability to focus or concentrate
• Inability to follow instructions
• Inability to complete long and tedious tasks

Diagnosing ADHD In Children

While diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, you must ensure that:

• The child is exhibiting symptoms of ADHD continuously for at least 6 months.
• The child has been exhibiting these symptoms before the age of seven.
• The child has been exhibiting these symptoms in at least two different settings, for instance home and in school.
• The symptoms are not attributed to a difficult phase in the life of the child or a developmental disorder.

For an accurate diagnosis of ADHD in your child, it is imperative to meet a mental health professional to ensure that the symptoms exhibited by the child are not due to the following reasons:

• Learning disability, wherein a child faces difficulty in reading, writing, and language and motor skills.
• A traumatic life experience such as a separation of the parents, death, or a move from one place to the other.
• Certain behavioral disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder might also cause ADHD-like symptoms.
• Some medical conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and thyroid problems can also affect the mental health of the child.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition wherein a person gains excess body fat which can have a negative effect on the overall well-being of an individual. Typically, if a person’s weight is about 20% higher than the ideal body weight, then the person is considered to be obese. In the United States, about one in every five children are obese and this trend is on an increase. In 1980, 7% of the children between the ages 6 and 11 were obese. However, in 2012, almost 18% of children in the same age group were obese.

A study conducted by Waring and Lapane found that children who were suffering from ADHD who did not take medications were 1.5 times more likely to become obese. The study was conducted on a sample population of 5680 children who were suffering from ADHD. The study found that only 57.2% of the children comprising the sample population were taking medications to improve the symptoms of their condition. This can be attributed to the fact that the stimulants administered as medication for ADHD act by increasing the dopamine levels in the brain. This, in turn, reduces the symptoms of ADHD.

See Also: Does Easy Distraction Mean ADHD?

This is one of the primary reasons for obesity in children who suffer from ADHD.

It is generally believed that children who live by impulse tend to eat by impulse. Due to ADHD, they face difficulty not only in understanding what others are telling them but are also not able to interpret what their bodies are telling them. Therefore, whenever they are upset or bored, they misinterpret the feeling and think that it is hunger.