Adolescent Girls with ADHD at Increased Risk for Eating Disorders

A study conducted by the University of Virginia found that adolescent girls with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have a higher risk of developing body-image issues that can lead to binging and purging than their non-ADHD peers. Of the 228 girls who were evaluated, 140 had been diagnosed with ADHD, and 88 had not.

"Girls with ADHD may be more at risk of developing eating problems as adolescents because they already have impulsive behaviors that can set them apart from their peers,' [lead author Amori Yee] Mikami said. 'As they get older, their impulsivity may make it difficult for them to maintain healthy eating and a healthy weight, resulting in self-consciousness about their body image and the binging and purging symptoms.'"

Girls with the "combined type" of ADHD (having both inattention and hyperactivity) were most likely to develop bulimia nervosa symptoms. They were also more likely to be overweight, to have experienced harsh or critical parenting, and to have been rejected by their peers. Source: ScienceDaily

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Labels: body_image_issues, eating_disorders, girls_with_adhd