ADHD Symptoms and Unhealthy Eating Behaviors in Dutch Adolescents: The Role of Sleep Time, Family Support, and Family Affluence

Abstract

Existing research has primarily focused on the relationship between ADHD symptoms and overweight in children, rather than exploring the broader concept of unhealthy eating behaviors and specifically focused on the adolescent population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between ADHD symptoms and unhealthy eating behaviors among Dutch adolescents, while examining the potential impact of sleep time, family support, and family affluence on this association. This cross-sectional study used Health Behaviour in School Aged Children 2017 data, which included a representative sample of 7,392 adolescents between 11 and 20 years from the Netherlands (Mage = 14.1, SD = 1.9). The results demonstrated that adolescents with more ADHD symptoms were more likely to engage in unhealthy eating behaviors, and that this association can be partially explained by sleep time. The interdisciplinary approach of the study contributes to the comprehensive understanding of the relationship between ADHD symptoms and unhealthy eating behaviors. This study emphasizes the need for selective interventions that address the challenges faced by adolescents with ADHD symptoms to promote healthy eating behaviors and well-being. Moreover, longitudinal designs are recommended to investigate the directionality of relationships over time.