Eating Behaviors and Perceived Eating Problems of children Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactiytty Disorder

Abstract

Eating disorders (ED) are a comorbid criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD). The Children's Eating Behavior Inventory (CEBI) was distributed to parents/guardians of children (N = 115) aged eight to fourteen, attending a private school and clinically diagnosed with ADHD or LD. The CEBI provides an eating behavior (EB) score and a parent-perceived eating problems (PPEP) score. An EB score of 92 and a PPEP score of > 16% were the standards used to identify ADHD and LD students at risk for eating disorders. Results were analyzed by gender, diagnosis, medication and age. Parents of 55 (67%) male and 27 (33%) female students completed the CEBI and the PPEP instruments (72% response rate). Respondent households were predominately Caucasian, dual parent with annual incomes higher than $50,000. Fifty-six (68%) students were diagnosed with ADHD and 73 (89%) with LD. Mean EB and PPEP scores for the present project were 83.88 and 11% for all students (N = 82). When grouped by age, younger students’ (aged 8-12 years, n = 73) mean EB and PPEP scores were 82.09 and 9.68%. EB and PPEP scores for older students (aged 13-14 years, n = 14) were 92.57 and 17.57%. EB and PPEP scores for older versus younger students were significantly different (Student's t = −3.09, p= 0.002). Analysis of variance revealed significantly different EB scores (F = 3.18, p = 0.002) when grouped by the number and types of medications (anti-depressant, anti-hypertensive and/or anti-seizure) given students. PPEP scores were also significantly different (F =2.83, p = 0.005) when grouped by medication. Gender-based differences in EB and PPEP scores were not significant. Parents/guardians of children diagnosed with ADHD and LD may overlook problem eating behaviors in younger ages. Assessing eating behaviors of children with ADHD and/or LD, and parents’ perception of children's eating behaviors, is recommended prior to designing nutrition education interventions.