Clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with overweight in children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A cross-sectional study

• Published in: PharmaNutrition Vol. 28; p. 100375
• Main Authors: da Costa, Joana Dias, Pastura, Giuseppe Mario Carmine, do Carmo, Cleber Nascimento, Spinelli, Renata Ribeiro, Fedeszen, Pamela Melo Krok, Souza da Cunha, Letícia Victoria, de Araújo, Beatriz Bastos, de Carvalho Padilha, Patricia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-06-2024
• Subjects: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Body mass index; Nutrition; Sociodemographic factors; ADHD; Body mass index; OR; Nutrition; LDL-C; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Sociodemographic factors; FM; IQ; MCA; FFM; BMI
• ISSN: 2213-4344; 2213-4344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phanu.2024.100375

Overweight has been increasing globally in various age groups, including children and adolescents. Despite efforts to reduce instances of childhood obesity, research has shown that children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to be overweight more often than the general population. In this context, the aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with overweight in children and adolescents with ADHD treated at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro.
This cross-sectional study included 40 children and adolescents aged 6–18 years who were diagnosed with ADHD. Height/age and body mass index (BMI)/age indices were used for anthropometric assessment, and the percentages of fat mass (%FM) and fat-free mass (%FFM) were estimated using bioelectrical impedance. Clinical (lipid profile and comorbidities) and sociodemographic variables were also obtained. The association between clinical and sociodemographic variables and overweight status was investigated using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). The significance level was set at p < 0.05.
Excessive weight occurred in 42.5% (n = 17) of the participants, 67% (n = 20) had inadequat% FM, and 27.5% (n = 11) had dyslipidemia. According to the MCA, “greater number of people in the family”, “lower maternal education”, “presence of comorbidities, and “generalized anxiety disorder” were more frequent among those with excess weight.
The findings provide insights on the clinical and sociodemographic variables associated with being overweight in children and adolescents with ADHD, which may contribute to the early detection of possible inadequacies in anthropometric status.
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•Anthropometric assessment in children and adolescents with ADHD is relevant for future treatment.•There is a need for regular body composition assessment in children and adolescents with ADHD.•Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics are related to overweight status in ADHD patients.•Dyslipidemia and excess of fat mass are frequent in ADHD children and adolescents.•Studies about diet quality and/or pharmanutritional approaches should be proposed in this population.