Obesity and central accumulation of fat in school-age children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

While the comorbidity between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mental disorders has been extensively explored, the associations with somatic conditions, including obesity, remain poorly understood, with conflicting findings in existing research. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between ADHD and obesity in school-age children via comprehensive approach that extends the basic assessment of BMI with the use of indicators of fat content and abdominal accumulation. The sample included 44 children with ADHD and 466 children without ADHD aged 6–12 years. BMI, the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were estimated on the basis of anthropometric measurements. TANITA MC-780 was used to indicate body fat percentage (%Fat). Although there were no differences in %Fat, children with ADHD presented higher rates of obesity diagnosed on the basis of BMI (OR 3.19) and a higher risk of central obesity indicated by WHtR (OR 2.67), compared to the control group. The ADHD-obesity link lost its significance when parental education, socioeconomic status and adverse childhood experiences were controlled. Despite the lack of differences in fat content, ADHD was significantly related to abdominal accumulation of fat and the BMI-based obesity diagnosis. The results obtained suggest complex interactions between ADHD, upbringing conditions, childhood obesity and central fat depots.