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UK Wedding News

04/03/2014

Children With ADHD 'At Higher Risk Of Obesity'

New research has suggested that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to suffer from obesity as a teenager.

It has previously been claimed that there is a link between ADHD and obesity.

The new study, which has been conducted by experts from Imperial College London and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, followed 6,934 children in Finland. They were assessed for ADHD and conduct disorder symptoms at the age of eight and 16, and it was revealed that children who had ADHD symptoms at eight years of age, had "significantly" higher chances of being obese by the age of 16.

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When it comes to the UK, ADHD is said to affect between 2% and 5% of school-aged children and young people. The condition can be difficult to diagnose, but screening questionnaires can provide an indication of a probable diagnosis which is based on a child's behaviour. Experts say conduct disorder, a condition related to ADHD, was also found to increase risk of obesity and physical inactivity among teens.

Senior author, visiting Professor Alina Rodriguez, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, explained: "Obesity is a growing problem that we need to watch out for in all children and young people, but these findings suggest that it's particularly important for children with ADHD.

"It appears that lack of physical activity might be a key factor. We think encouraging children with ADHD to be more physically active could improve their behaviour problems as well as helping them to stay a healthy weight, and studies should be carried out to test this theory."

(JP/IT)

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"New research has suggested that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to suffer from obesity as a teenager."