Source
Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, 343 Bethune College, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3. rstrimas@psych.ryerson.ca
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The high prevalence of obesity currently poses a global health crisis. Previous research has identified a novel link between obesity and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD(H)D). Davis, Levitan, Smith, Tweed and Curtis [Davis, C., Levitan, R. D., Smith, M., Tweed, S., & Curtis, C. (2006). Associations among overeating, overweight, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A structural equation modeling approach. Eating Behaviors, 7, 266-274] recently tested a structural equation model predicting that AD(H)D symptoms foster overeating and subsequently contribute to the variation in Body Mass Index (BMI) in a sample of healthy adult females. The data were an excellent fit to the model.
PURPOSE:
In order to extend the generalizability of these findings, the present study tested the same model in 145 non-clinical adult males.
RESULTS:
Similar to the findings in females, AD(H)D symptoms positively predicted overeating in males, which in turn positively predicted BMI.
CONCLUSIONS:
Results highlight mechanisms whereby AD(H)D symptoms could influence body mass and stress the importance of addressing AD(H)D symptoms in both the prevention and treatment of overeating and obesity.