acase@tulane.edu / Recent research has suggested a strong link between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity in youth. Both ADHD and obesity have high prevalence and are associated with an enormous personal, family, and social burden. Approximately 5% of children worldwide are currently diagnosed with ADHD, and the prevalence of obesity is estimated to increase relatively by 40% in children with ADHD. Thus, it is imperative to examine potential behavioral mechanisms that underlie comorbid ADHD and obesity, one of which may be abnormal eating behaviors. These behaviors compounded by ADHD symptomology contribute to weight gain in this population. Despite evidence that frequently sharing family meals may protect against abnormal eating behaviors, health-adverse behaviors, and overweight/obesity in youth, only half of families in the United States eat dinner together 6-7 nights per week. This study examines whether United States youth ages 10-17 who present with ADHD are more likely to be overweight/obese than those without ADHD and whether the frequency of shared family meals moderates this comorbidity. Data were obtained from the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Using an ordinal regression analysis with moderation, the current study found that youth with ADHD are more likely to be overweight/obese. Frequency of shared family meals was not found to moderate the relationship between ADHD and weight status in the current study sample. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed. / 1 / Emma Clare Lewis
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_77522 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Contributors | Lewis, Emma C. (author), Baker, Courtney N. (Thesis advisor), School of Science & Engineering Psychology (Degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | electronic, 47 |
| Rights | No embargo, Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law. |
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