Abstract
IntroductionThe aim of the study was to assess the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and potentially obesogenic behaviors.MethodsData of 11,676 German children and adolescents (6–17 years) were analyzed. Television/video exposure, physical activity, food frequency and portion size were assessed using questionnaires. A dietary quality index, energy density and volumes of consumed food, and total energy intake were calculated. The parent-rated hyperactivity/inattention subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-HI) was used as a continuous measure of ADHD symptoms. Associations were analyzed with general linear models adjusting for sex, age, socioeconomic status, migrant status, parental BMI, and parental smoking.ResultsSDQ-HI scores correlated positively with physical activity, average energy density of food, volume of beverages, total energy intake, and television exposure and negatively with the nutritional quality score (HuSKY) even after adjustment for parental variables (BMI, smoking, socioeconomic status, migrant status), age, sex, as well as the other SDQ subscales. The adjusted association of the SDQ-HI scores with the nutritional quality score was stronger in girls and the associations with food volume, food energy, and total energy intake was significant only in girls.ConclusionsPoor nutritional quality, high energy intake and television exposure appear to be independently associated with ADHD symptoms. The relationship between food energy intake and ADHD symptoms was especially pronounced in girls and this may help to explain the reported association of ADHD symptoms with overweight in adolescent girls.
Highlights
The aim of the study was to assess the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and potentially obesogenic behaviors
We found that girls showed a significantly stronger association between ADHD symptoms and dietary quality, food volume, food energy intake, and total energy intake than boys
This corresponds with our previous results based on the same population [13], where we found a significant independent association between ADHD symptoms and overweight only in Television/video exposure (h/d) Medium-high intensity physical activity (h/wk)$ Healthy Nutrition Score for Kids and Youth (HuSKY) nutritional quality score (0–100) Food energy density Beverage energy density Food volume (g/d) Beverage volume Food energy intake Beverage energy intake Total energy intake
Summary
The aim of the study was to assess the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and potentially obesogenic behaviors. While there are many clinical and epidemiological publications on the association between ADHD or ADHD symptoms and overweight/obesity [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13] the literature on the association between ADHD symptoms and energy balance related behaviors such as physical activity, television exposure, and food and beverage intake is scarce. Most cross-sectional studies have found attention problems [22,23] and ADHD symptoms [24] to be associated with more media time. With the exception of one study that lacked an acceptable measure of ADHD [25] all longitudinal studies reported evidence that television exposure is a risk factor for subsequent attention problems [24,26,27,28]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
