ADHD and eating

Question 1

Eating patterns and nutrition for subjects with ADHD.

Answer 1

There is a significant link between ADHD and abnormal dietary pattern (“junk food” and nonadherence to 3-meals-per-day diet). Ptacek et al 2016. Neuropsych. disease and treatment.

Question 2

Link between obesity and ADHD

Answer 2

Significant comorbidity in both directions - higher prevalence of ADHD in obese individuals and higher BMI in those with ADHD. Ptacek et al 2016. Neuropsych. disease and treatment.

Question 3

Link between binge eating disorder and ADHD

Answer 3

Impulsiveness and inattention correlate with severity of BED symptoms. Obese patients with ADHD more likely to have binge eating, snack between meals, eat in secret, or eat large amounts of food.

Question 4

Psychostimulant effect on obesity.

Answer 4

Methylphenidate treatment in obese individuals with ADHD resulted in significant weight loss. Levy LD, Fleming JP, Klar D. Int J Obes. 2009.

Question 5

Relationship between mood symptoms and binge eating in ADHD

Answer 5

Impulsivity alone does not mediate the association; affective disorder and depression in particular correlates with severity of BED symptoms.

Question 6

ADHD symptomatology in women with bulimia nervosa.

Answer 6

Inattentive and impulsive symptoms are more common in women with bulimia. Other comorbidities e.g. depression, anxiety, disruptive behaviour mediate the association between BN and ADHD. (Girls with ADHD and depressive symptoms are at highest risk of BN). Ptacek et al 2016. Neuropsych. disease and treatment.