A unique probable link between childhood ADHD and obesity in adulthood was recently revealed. Experts from the Duke University Medical Center suggest that presence of symptoms related to ADHD among kids possibly increase chances of being obese in adult life. Claimed to be a novel investigation, it was ascertained that greater the symptoms, stronger the risk.
15,197 adolescents from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were included in the study and followed from 1995 through 2009. Scientists analyzed symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity along with BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure. It appeared that three or more of the symptoms studied had heightened threats of resulting in overweight. Kids with only hyperactive or impulsive symptoms were supposedly having 63 percent elevated risk of being obese. Hyperactive or impulsive symptoms presumably triggered greater weight gain in the transition from adolescence to adulthood. So children with ADHD symptoms probably had the most considerable risk factor.
The possible correlation between ADHD symptoms and high blood pressure were also evaluated. Bernard Fuemmeler, PhD, MPH, lead author of the study and director of the Pediatric Psychology and Family Health Promotion Lab in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Duke and colleagues believe that some self-regulation capacities, like the ability to control impulses can help figure out why some people are more susceptible to obesity.
The study is published online in the International Journal of Obesity.