A University of Missouri study looks at unmedicated youths who have ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The study finds that they have significantly higher rates of obesity, tend to exceed screen time recommendations, and fail to meet crucial sleep guidelines.
MU’s Crystal Lim looked at the results of a survey that included tens of thousands of kids nationwide between the ages of 11 and 17.
“So, we looked at different rates of overweight and obesity across the three different groups,” she told Show Me Today. “That’s where we found that kids with ADHD not taking medication have higher rates of overweight and obesity. They have about a 7% higher prevalence rate compared to kids with ADHD that are medicated.”
Lim recommended that families set a routine schedule regarding sleep, screen time and exercise, the same as if school were in session.
“For youth with ADHD, physical activity, sleep, and media did not impact their risk of overweight and obesity, but for unmedicated youth with ADHD, we found that not meeting the sleep recommendations was linked to a higher overweight and obesity risk,” said Lim.
According to Lim, physical and emotional health, especially in childhood, go hand-in-hand.
“If kids are having behavioral problems or trouble managing their emotions, then we know that that coincides with physical health like overweight and obesity risk,” she said. “Yeah, I think the study really drives home that important point that to improve our physical health, we also need to be thinking about other aspects.”
The study was published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology.
Click here to listen to the entire interview.
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