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. 2013 Jul;203(1):24-34.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.112.123299. Epub 2013 May 9.

Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity: epidemiological study

Samuele Cortese  1 , Stephen V Faraone, Silvia Bernardi, Shuai Wang, Carlos Blanco
Affiliations

Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity: epidemiological study

Samuele Cortese et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Background: A significant association between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity has been reported. This study addresses unexplored aspects of this relationship.

Aims: To evaluate the association between adult obesity and: (a) persistent, remitted or lifetime ADHD; (b) number of childhood ADHD symptoms, controlling for socioeconomic status and mood, anxiety and substance use disorders.

Method: Face-to-face psychiatric interviews in 34 653 US adults from the National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥30.

Results: Persistent, lifetime or remitted ADHD were not associated with obesity after controlling for confounders. The number of childhood ADHD symptoms was significantly associated with adult obesity, even after adjustment, in women.

Conclusions: Childhood ADHD symptoms are associated with obesity in women even after comorbid psychiatric disorders are accounted for. This provides a rationale for longitudinal studies assessing the impact of the treatment of childhood ADHD symptoms on obesity in women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interest

S.C. has served as scientific consultant for Shire Pharmaceuticals (2009-2010). In the past year, S.V.F. received consulting income and/or research support from Shire, Otsuka and Alcobra, and research support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He is also on the Clinical Advisory Board for Akili Interactive Labs. In previous years, he received consulting fees or was on advisory boards or participated in continuing medical education programmes sponsored by: Shire, McNeil, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly.

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