ADHD and Obesity: How Urban Living Conditions Impact Health
Photo: Lino Mirgeler/dpa (Photo by Lino Mirgeler/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often associated with hyperactivity and impulsivity in children. However, a recent study has shed light on how ADHD-induced impulsivity can lead to overeating and obesity, especially in individuals living in smaller cities with limited access to mental health services and opportunities for physical activity.
Contrastingly, individuals with ADHD residing in larger cities are less likely to become obese due to better access to mental health services. Tian Gan, a Ph.D. student at the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University and one of the study authors, emphasized, “Our research uncovers an unexpected urban advantage: as cities expand, rates of both obesity and ADHD decrease proportionally. Additionally, mental health services become more accessible, aiding in addressing physical inactivity—a crucial link between ADHD and obesity. This trend suggests that larger cities offer protective factors against these interconnected health challenges.”
Gan and his team analyzed data from 915 cities across the United States to explore how impulsivity stemming from ADHD may contribute to a heightened risk of obesity and how urban living conditions play a role in this association.
“In each state, cities vary in terms of these factors, highlighting the disparities in lifestyle, education, healthcare, and resource accessibility in the United States,” the study authors stated in their research published in the journal PLoS Complex Systems. “Our analysis underscores the significance of physical activity as a viable intervention target, influenced by factors such as college education, food insecurity, and access to mental health professionals.”
Over the past decade, researchers have theorized that individuals with ADHD may be less inclined to engage in recommended levels of physical activity due to challenges such as poor motor skills and executive function deficits. Executive dysfunction associated with ADHD can impede an individual’s ability to adhere to exercise routines or maintain consistent physical activity regimens.
Previous studies on Dutch and Korean children with ADHD have indicated that individuals living with this neurodevelopmental disorder are at a heightened risk of being overweight or obese compared to their peers without ADHD.
“Our findings suggest that mental health services can counteract these tendencies by fostering awareness of the health benefits of physical activity among urban residents,” the researchers highlighted. Given that mental health resources are predominantly available in larger cities, coupled with higher levels of education and lower incidences of food insecurity among urban dwellers, these advantages were found to mitigate the risks of overeating and physical inactivity in individuals with ADHD.
“Our study suggests that promoting physical activity, especially in children with ADHD, could significantly enhance long-term health outcomes. Surprisingly, we discovered that ADHD influences obesity through dual pathways: reduced physical activity and distinct biological mechanisms linked to impulse control and eating behaviors—underscoring the need for interventions addressing both facets,” explained Simone Macrì, a study author from the Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome, Italy.
