Overweight/obesity and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder tendency among adolescents in China

This study aims to investigate whether there is any association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tendency and overweight/obesity among adolescents.

This study was a population-based health survey utilizing a two-stage random cluster sampling design.

Subjects were recruited from the total population of adolescents who attended high school years 1, 2 and 3 with ages ranging from 13 to 17 years.

Individual body weight and height were measured by medical professionals. Overweight and obesity were determined according to the CDC classification. ADHD tendency was assessed via a structured personal interview using a standardised scale.

In all, 1429 students were recruited with 85 (6.3%) classified overweight and 42 (3.1%) obese with a mean BMI score of 19.1 (s.e.=0.15). For ADHD tendency, the average score was 15.48 (s.e.=0.28) with a median score of 16.0. There was a significant association between ADHD tendency and obesity among these adolescent (t=2.18, P=0.040), after adjusting for the potential confounding factors. However, the association between ADHD tendency and overweight did not reach a significant level.

ADHD tendency is associated with overweight/obesity among adolescents. Clinician should be aware of the increased risk of ADHD among obese adolescents. ADHD should be assessed and proper treatment should be provided in the management of obese.