Abstract
It is unclear whether core symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) relate to specific types of disordered eating and little is known about the mediating mechanisms. We investigated associations between core symptoms of ADHD and binge/disinhibited eating and restrictive eating behavior and assessed whether negative mood and/or deficits in awareness and reliance on internal hunger/satiety cues mediate these relationships. In two independent studies, we used a dimensional approach to study ADHD and disordered eating. In Study 1, a community-based sample of 237 adults (72.6% female, 18-60 years [M = 26.8, SE = 0.6]) completed an online questionnaire, assessing eating attitudes/behaviors, negative mood, awareness, and reliance on internal hunger/satiety cues and ADHD symptomatology. In Study 2, 142 students (80.3% female, 18-32 years [M = 19.3, SE = 0.1]) were recruited to complete the same questionnaires and complete tasks assessing interoceptive sensitivity and impulsivity in the laboratory. In each study, core symptoms of ADHD correlated positively with both binge/disinhibited and restrictive eating and negative mood mediated the relationships. Deficits in awareness and reliance on internal hunger/satiety signals also mediated the association between inattentive symptoms of ADHD and disordered eating, especially binge/disinhibited eating. The results from both studies demonstrated that inattentive symptoms of ADHD were also directly related to binge/disinhibited eating behavior, while accounting for the indirect pathways of association via negative mood and awareness and reliance on internal hunger/satiety signals. This research provides evidence that core symptoms of ADHD are associated with both binge/disinhibited eating and restrictive eating behavior. Further investigation of the role of inattentive symptoms of ADHD in disordered eating may be helpful in developing novel treatments for both ADHD and binge eating.
Highlights
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most debilitating childhood disorders, defined by age inappropriate impulsiveness, inattention, and hyperactivity [1], with symptoms of the disorder persisting into adulthood in approximately 75% of cases [2]
In both studies negative mood, a composite index reflecting anxiety, depression and stress was a significant mediator of the association between core symptoms of ADHD and disordered eating
But not hyperactive/impulsive, symptoms of ADHD were associated with lower levels of awareness and reliance on internal hunger/satiety cues, which in turn were associated with disordered eating, especially binge/disinhibited eating
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most debilitating childhood disorders, defined by age inappropriate impulsiveness, inattention, and hyperactivity [1], with symptoms of the disorder persisting into adulthood in approximately 75% of cases [2]. The current research investigated the potential associations between core symptoms of ADHD and disordered eating, including both binge/disinhibited eating and restrictive eating behavior, and examined whether negative mood and/or deficits in awareness and reliance on internal hunger/satiety cues might mediate these relationships. The primary aims of Study 1 were: (i) to investigate the associations between core symptoms of ADHD and disordered eating, including both binge/disinhibited eating and restrictive eating behavior, and (ii) to test whether negative mood and/or and deficits in awareness and reliance on internal hunger/satiety cues might mediate these relationships, controlling important potential confounders (e.g., gender, BMI, and ADHD medication). The moderating effect of age, gender, BMI, and ADHD medication in any relationship between core symptoms of ADHD and disordered eating was investigated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
