Families may be surprised to learn that a new study conducted by researchers at the Child Study Center at New York University Langone Medical Center discovered that men diagnosed as kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were twice as likely to be obese 33 years later compared to men who were not diagnosed with the condition. Results showed that even when researchers control other factors that are typically associated with increased obesity rates like socioeconomic status, men with the disorder were at a significantly higher risk to struggle with high body mass index and obesity as adults.
Given that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report the disorder as one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders usually diagnosed in childhood and lasting into adulthood, there is reason to raise awareness.
“The greatest risk factor is having relatives with ADHD, since it runs in families,” said Dr. Francisco Xavier Castellanos, lead author of the Brooke and Daniel Neidich Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Study Center at NYU Langone. The earlier you intervene, the better your chance is of a positive outcome.
“Typically, if someone has a sibling or parent who has or had ADHD, and they are having difficulties in school, ADHD should be highly suspected,” said Castellanos.
Knowing how to recognize both attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity may sound straightforward, but sometimes it takes work.
“Warning signs of obesity are usually identified on a scale, such as comparing a child’s growth and weight to what should be expected, given their age and height,” said Castellanos.
Every child is assigned values over time.
“When someone is growing and getting heavier at a rate that is far exceeding what would be expected for typical development, then I suggest that they are in a dangerous trajectory, which is only going to get worse,” said Castellanos. By anticipating what could occur in the future, you can be prepared. “See the pediatrician and work with them.”
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is complex, but there is a pattern that most children display.
“The pattern of behaviors is fairly well-known — impulsive behaviors; difficulty attending to details, especially in situations that require effort in school; and being physically hyperactive,” said Castellanos.
But be sure to think things through and not jump to the conclusion that any child with these signs has the disorder.
“All of those things occur in almost everyone at some point, but the question is how pervasive and how negatively those patterns impact the person’s ability to succeed in school, with their friends, at home, and in other settings,” said Castellanos.
You can also try to learn from studies that have been done in the past. A study that included 207 white men diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder at an average age of 8, and a comparison group of 178 men not diagnosed, revealed that, on average, men with the disorder had significantly higher body mass index (30.1 vs. 27.6) and obesity rates (41.1 percent vs. 21.6 percent) than men without it. Researchers attempt to reach a conclusion as to what people can do about the rise of the disorder and obesity, as well as the connection.
“Prevention is easy to say and hard to do,” said Castellanos. Moderation in all things is important.
“The hard part about weight is taking it off once it is put on, and this society where we are turned into having larger waistlines is a risk that is greater for people with ADHD,” said Castellanos.
Some kids do better than others.
“Individuals with ADHD have a wide range of outcomes and can become extremely successful or extremely unsuccessful, but the situation warrants a great deal of caution,” said Castellanos. It can be a challenging topic to study, but “learning to identify a child’s strengths as well as those areas in which he needs extra support is an important part of this,” said Castellanos.
Sometimes medication can help, but it is rarely a sufficient treatment by itself. Remember that you are not alone.
“We always thought that ADHD was one in 20, but the estimates now in children are one in 10 and it is quite common,” said Castellanos.
The key is to reach out and take advantage of the great resources that our community has to offer so you can promote healthy lifestyle choices and behaviors both at home and in other environments.
Jamie Lober, author of “Pink Power” (www.getpinkpower.com), is dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health topics. She can be reached at [email protected].
© 2013 Jamie Lober
