A monthly newsletter addition from our Dietitian and Eating Disorder Recovery Team.
ADHD and Eating Challenges
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common challenge for many adolescents with impacts on executive function, social relationships, and school performance. While we often hear about therapeutic approaches and school accommodations that can be helpful, eating and body image challenges aren’t often as widely discussed or treated. Did you know ADHD and eating disorders (EDs) have a high level of overlap? A review of research suggested that adolescents who are diagnosed with ADHD are between 3 and 6 times more likely to develop an ED in their lifetime and have higher levels of disordered eating, body image dissatisfaction, and desire for weight loss than their peers without ADHD. Whether or not symptoms lead to a clinical ED diagnosis, accommodations and support for improving one's relationship with food and their body is important and deserved.
Some common feeding related challenges that may arise as a result of ADHD include:
- Difficulty identifying hunger and fullness cues which could lead to cycles of under and over-eating
- Decision fatigue that makes daily food decisions difficult
- Relying on food as a primary source of enjoyment and satisfaction may lead to binge-like behaviors
- Medication side-effects that lead to a low appetite and periods of fasting for many hours throughout the day
- Difficulty completing food preparation and procurement tasks like grocery shopping and cooking
- Increased impulsivity could lead to binge and purge behaviors
Our eating disorder program is equipped to assist clients and families who may be having these challenges, with or without an ED diagnosis. Reach out to our office to schedule an appointment and learn more!
Sources: Curtin, C. , Pagoto, S. and Mick, E. (2013) The association between ADHD and eating disorders/pathology in adolescents: A systematic review. Open Journal of Epidemiology.
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