Association of ADHD and Obesity in Hispanic Children on the US-Mexico Border: A Retrospective Analysis.

Luis Alvarado,Sarah L Martin,Eden Hernandez Robles,Bharathi S Gadad,Valeria Diaz-Pacheco,Maria Theresa Villanos,Javier Vargas-Medrano,Kiran Chaudhary,Sergio D Iñiguez,Alyssa Salcido

doi:10.3389/fnint.2021.749907

Abstract

Pediatric obesity and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are rising health concerns in the United States, especially among Hispanic children and adolescents. Research on Hispanic children and adolescents indicates disproportionately higher prevalence rates of obesity in this community but scant data on ADHD prevalence rates. In contrast, a plethora of research studies across the general population examines the relationship between childhood obesity and ADHD. In addition, there is a lack of research that examines the role of ethnicity and sub-ethnic group correlations in ADHD, particularly in the Hispanic population. Existing studies in the general population indicate ADHD may be a risk factor for being overweight compared to normal controls. The objective of the present study is to examine the prevalence of obesity in children with ADHD compared to children in the general population in a predominately Hispanic sample on the US-Mexico border. A total of 7,270 pediatric medical records were evaluated. The retrospective analysis included Body Mass Index (BMI) and related health variables, and ethnicity and showed that children with ADHD are more likely to be underweight. In conclusion, no significant relationship existed between obesity and ADHD among Hispanic children on the US-Mexico Border, and instead we found the opposite correlation.

Highlights

Pediatric obesity in the United States is increasing rapidly, with a prevalence rate of about 32% of children and adolescents classified as overweight (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)], 2020)
The goals of this study are (1) to determine the prevalence of obesity in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) compared to children in the general population in a predominately Hispanic community on the US-Mexico Border and (2) to determine if socioeconomic factors affect Body Mass Index (BMI) in this population, in order to inform plans for future health interventions to reduce obesity and treat ADHD in children of Hispanic descent
This study shows that Hispanic children with ADHD are more likely to be underweight than overweight

Summary

Introduction

Pediatric obesity in the United States is increasing rapidly, with a prevalence rate of about 32% of children and adolescents classified as overweight (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Severe obesity is more common in Hispanic children, with reports indicating development as early as kindergarten. ADHD and Obesity in Hispanic Children (Isasi et al, 2016; Kim et al, 2016). Overweight children are twice as likely to exhibit elevated rates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms than their averageweight counterparts. Children with ADHD are twice as likely to be overweight (Cortese, 2019) it is a public health priority to examine ADHD and its relationship with obesity in Hispanic children

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Conclusion