Citation
Bleck, Jennifer & DeBate, Rita D. (2013). Exploring the Co-morbidity of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating Behaviors in a Nationally Representative Community-based Sample. Eating Behaviors. vol. 13 (3) pp. 390-393Abstract
Emerging evidence signifies the co-occurrence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with clinical and sub-threshold disordered eating behaviors. However, many existing studies have assessed this co-occurrence among inpatient or intensive outpatient populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the co-occurrence of ADHD with clinical eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in a nationally representative sample via a secondary data analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n=4,862; 2,243 males; 2,619 females). Results reveal females have higher rates of co-occurrence of ADHD and diagnosed eating disorders than males (1.05% vs. 0.20%, p<.01). When controlling for age and race, ADHD predicted diagnosed eating disorders in females (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR): 2.06; 95% CI: 1.09-3.88; p<.05), but did not predict diagnosed eating disorders in males. With regard to disordered eating behaviors, when controlling for age, gender, and race, ADHD significantly predicted disordered eating behaviors (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.21-2.74). When stratifying by type of disordered eating behavior, ADHD predicted binging and/or purging behavior (OR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.78-4.61), but not restrictive behaviors. Implications of study findings pertain to both secondary/ targeted prevention efforts in addition to tertiary prevention via patient-specific treatment plans.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2013.05.009Keyword(s)
Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD Eating Disorders Disordered Eating BehaviorReference Type
Journal ArticleJournal Title
Eating BehaviorsAuthor(s)
Bleck, JenniferDeBate, Rita D.