Circadian rhythm disruption as a link between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and obesity?

Abstract Objective Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have a high prevalence of obesity. This is the first study to investigate whether circadian rhythm disruption is a mechanism linking ADHD symptoms to obesity. Methods ADHD symptoms and two manifestations of circadian rh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychosomatic research 2015-11, Vol.79 (5), p.443-450
Main Authors: Vogel, Suzan W.N, Bijlenga, Denise, Tanke, Marjolein, Bron, Tannetje I, van der Heijden, Kristiaan B, Swaab, Hanna, Beekman, Aartjan T.F, Sandra Kooij, J.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ADHD
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology
Binge eating
Binge-Eating Disorder
Body Mass Index
Circadian Rhythm
Feeding Behavior
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity
Obesity - complications
Obesity - psychology
Prevalence
Psychiatry
Sleep
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Objective Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have a high prevalence of obesity. This is the first study to investigate whether circadian rhythm disruption is a mechanism linking ADHD symptoms to obesity. Methods ADHD symptoms and two manifestations of circadian rhythm disruption: sleep problems and an unstable eating pattern (skipping breakfast and binge eating later in the day) were assessed in participants with obesity (n = 114), controls (n = 154), and adult ADHD patients (n = 202). Results Participants with obesity had a higher prevalence of ADHD symptoms and short sleep on free days as compared to controls, but a lower prevalence of ADHD symptoms, short sleep on free days, and an unstable eating pattern as compared to ADHD patients. We found that participants with obesity had a similar prevalence rate of an unstable eating pattern when compared to controls. Moreover, mediation analyses showed that both sleep duration and an unstable eating pattern mediated the association between ADHD symptoms and body mass index (BMI). Conclusion Our study supports the hypothesis that circadian rhythm disruption is a mechanism linking ADHD symptoms to obesity. Further research is needed to determine if treatment of ADHD and circadian rhythm disruption is effective in the prevention and treatment of obesity in patients with obesity and/or ADHD.
ISSN:0022-3999
1879-1360
DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.10.002