Korean Journal of Family Medicine  2010;31(11):852-861

doi:10.4082/kjfm.2010.31.11.852

The Association of Childhood Obesity with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Joo Hong CHUN 1 ; Dong Ryul LEE ; Jung Un LEE ; Sae Ron SHIN ; Kyung Hee PARK

Affiliations

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Keywords

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Obesity; Risk Factor

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is caused by multiple risk factors and accompany many problems. This study aimed to analyze the association of childhood obesity with ADHD and to know the related factors of ADHD. METHODS: In 2006, 427 students in fourth grade were recruited from two elementary schools in Gwangmyeong city. Height and weight were measured and children's weight status was classified as normal weight, overweight and obese using the age and gender-specific BMI established by Korean Academy of Pediatrics. The Korean abbreviated Conners' parent rating scale (ACRS) was used to measure the ADHD state. RESULTS: The obesity rate was higher in ADHD group than in non-ADHD group (P = 0.005). The Kovacs' children's depression inventory score (CDI score) of ADHD group was higher than that of non-ADHD group (P = 0.003). In ADHD group, there were many cases where students were looked after by members of the family other than the parents after school (P = 0.01). ADHD group had a tendency to have breakfast heavily (P = 0.01). The average monthly income of the parents of ADHD group was relatively higher than that of the non-ADHD group (P = 0.03), and the fathers of ADHD group tend to have night eating syndrome (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The ADHD was significantly associated with childhood obesity, and was likely to be more depressive and had different life styles than non-ADHD group.