The relationship between ADHD and obesity: implications for therapy

Abstract

Increasing attention is being paid to the relationship between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity. While most available research focused on determining the extent of the association between ADHD and obesity, a few studies have examined the clinical implications of diagnosing/treating ADHD in individuals with obesity. Here, we provide a narrative review of studies addressing the impact of ADHD, or its treatment, in individuals with obesity. Reviewed studies suggest that ADHD impedes the successful treatment of obesity in individuals with comorbid ADHD and obesity. Preliminary evidence also suggests that ADHD treatment might significantly increase the effectiveness of weight management strategies. We discuss the limitations of the reviewed studies and provide suggestions for future research in the field.

Keywords::

• attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• diet
• psychostimulants
• weight
• weight management

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• Disorders of the CNS are increasingly understood as conditions affecting multiple body systems.

• Within this framework, increasing research has aimed at assessing medical conditions associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

• Specifically, an increasing number of studies has been published on the possible association between ADHD and obesity.

• While most research in this area addressed the degree of the putative association between ADHD and obesity, a smaller number of studies investigated how ADHD impacts on weight management in individuals with comorbid obesity.

• A few studies assessed the effects of treatment of comorbid ADHD on weight outcome in individuals with obesity.

• Available evidence suggests that ADHD impedes successful treatment of obesity in individuals with comorbid ADHD and obesity.

• One naturalistic study indicated that pharmacological treatment of ADHD might improve weight management outcome in individuals with comorbid obesity.

• One randomized controlled study showed that cognitive training improved executive dysfunctions (that may be associated with ADHD) and weight management outcome in children with obesity, although the effects on possible comorbid ADHD symptoms and their relationship with weight loss was not assessed.