High rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in obese adults: a case-control study
M.F. Docet1, A. Larrañaga2, J.L. Fernández Sastre3, and R.V. García-Mayor4
1Nutrition Section, 2Eating Disorders Unit, 3Psychiatry Department, 4Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolism Department, University Hospital of Vigo, Vigo, Spain

Abstract

Background and aims: The prevalence and incidence of obesity have increased around the world. Recent research found a frequent comorbidity between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and obesity. ADHD could be a risk factor for the development of obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of ADHD in obese adult patients in comparison with normal weight adults and its relationship with gender and obesity degree. Methods: This study includes 170 obese patients (Body Mass Index (BMI)≥30) [of whom 129 (75.9%) were women], aged 51±13.4 yrs, range 18-79, who attended the Nutrition Section of the University Hospital of Vigo; and 73 normal weight participants (BMI 18.5-24.9) [52 (71.2%) women] as controls. Exclusion criteria were cognitive disorders and/or being unable to perform the questionnaires. The participants were categorized by obesity degree. The rate of ADHD was determined by a clinical interview and the ADHD adult self-report scale-V.1.1. Results: Thirty-five (20.6%) out of 170 obese patients and 5 (6.8%) out of 73 normal weight controls had ADHD. ADHD was significantly associated with obesity (OR 3.5; p<0.05) without differences among the obesity degrees. The ADHD rate was 24% in female vs 9.7% in male obese patients, p<0.05, while in normal weight participants it was 7.7% in female vs 4.8% in male, p>0.05. Conclusions: A high rate of ADHD was observed in obese patients in comparison with normal weight participants. Our results suggest that impulsive and no-attentional behaviour of ADHD patients may contribute to the development of abnormal eating behaviours leading to obesity. Obesity and Metabolism 2010; 6: 121-124.

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