ABSTRACT
Background
There is emergent evidence that disturbed eating behaviors, including emotional eating and obesity, co-occur with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The current study aims to examine the link between ADHD symptoms, eating behaviors and obesity in ADHD children.
Patients and Methods
50 ADHD children diagnosed by Conners scale were included. They completed the Emotional Eating scale adapted for children (ESS-C) to evaluate eating in response to emotions.
Parents completed the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) to assess children’s eating behavior. Multivariable regression analysis was used to detect the most independent factor for higher Body mass Index (BMI) risk. Results: Higher rates of overweight/obesity were detected among ADHD children than among normal population. Also, higher Conners global index was associated with higher BMI z-scores. Both Inattentive and combined types were linked to higher BMI, while hyperactive type with lower BMI. Regarding eating behaviors, a positive association between food approach and BMI, and a negative association between food avoidant and BMI z-scores was found. Similarly, there was a noteworthy positive relation between emotional overeating and BMI. 68% of ADHD children were high emotional eaters, mainly inattentive and combined types. Others, mainly hyperactive type, were low emotional eaters. Only ESS-C total score was confirmed as independent factor for higher BMI risk.
Conclusion
Our findings provide evidence that emotional overeating and food approach eating behaviors are common among ADHD children with higher BMI associated with them. Future studies for better understanding of this overlap will enhance potential interventions.
Comparison of Eating Behavior of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Children with Normal Development