What you may not know is that excessive body weight is unusually prevalent among people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). And, given their impulsivity and their often-erratic eating habits, people with ADHD have an unusually difficult time losing excess weight once they've gained it.
But the reality is that ADHD (particularly the inattentive type) might just as easily be a lumbering Panda or Garfield the cat. In fact, ADHD does not automatically bring with it calorie-burning energy and a sleek physique. Its symptoms may actually trigger and exacerbate serious weight problems.
Several studies have shown that those with ADHD are prone to obesity and find it hard to lose weight. This is not surprising. Adults with ADHD aren't always aware of their food intake. Many eat while doing another activity — watching television, say, or even driving — so they lose track of the calories they consume.
Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) make you less hungry and make your body burn calories faster than usual. Some of them are even used to help people lose weight or treat binge eating.
ADHD affects hunger in several ways — you might feel less hungry, forget to eat, or get distracted while eating so you don't complete meals. Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
People with ADHD may not be as aware of or focused on their eating habits. They may not recognize when they're hungry during the day, for example, and then end up overeating later on. They may also not pay attention to when they're full, and keep on eating. There appears to be a genetic link.
How does ADHD affect eating habits? Symptoms like getting easily distracted, being in a hyper focused state, and forgetting schedules can contribute to unhealthy eating habits. These symptoms are also highly common in many people with ADHD. ADHD medicines can also be a contributing factor.
Many people with adult ADHD find it hard to stick to a physical exercise routine. However, experts say it's essential. Exercising, after all, doesn't just improve physical health, but also brain health.
Intermittent Fasting, Weight Loss, and ADHD
I asked Dr. Russell Barkley for his thoughts on intermittent fasting for adults with ADHD. His feedback was quite positive. He explained that intermittent fasting's simplicity is what makes it such a good plan for those of us with ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are rarely mindful of the aspects of eating (what they eat, how much, when, where, etc.). They eat more calories than they are aware of, and consume fewer healthy foods. They tend to eat larger portions, even when they don't like what they are eating.
Someone with ADHD is four times more likely to become obese than is someone without ADHD. Brain chemistry, poor impulse control, difficulty organizing shopping and preparing meals, and erratic sleeping habits all conspire to encourage unhealthy eating — and to make weight loss feel or be impossible.
While alcohol may appear as a short-term solution to restlessness and anxiety often associated with ADHD, heavy consumption can intensify symptoms of ADHD and render some ADHD medications ineffective.
Other sleep problems reportedly associated with ADHD in children and/or adults include early and middle insomnia, nocturnal awakening, nocturnal activity, snoring, breathing difficulties, restless sleep, parasomnias, nightmares, daytime sleepiness, delayed sleep phase, short sleep time and anxiety around bedtime ( ...
Sugar and ADHD are a poor combination. Sugar causes a release of dopamine in the brain similar to stimulant drugs. Even children without ADHD can become fidgety and inattentive after ingesting sugar. For children with ADHD, sugar can further disrupt an already dysregulated brain.
You feel tired (more so than before you ate the sugar) and cannot focus. When you eat too much sugar over time you can have problems with processing information, memory, depression and anxiety. All of which many ADHD adults are prone to have problems with.
ADHD and fatigue share a connection as they both primarily affect your brain and executive functioning. They both can have their roots in how your brain is wired and ultimately operates. As a result, people with ADHD tend to be more prone towards developing cases of regular and chronic fatigue.
The EDs mostly associated with ADHD are binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN). BED is characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes and associated feelings of guilt and lack of control.
Some of the common foods that can cause ADHD reactions include milk, chocolate, soy, wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges. If you suspect a food sensitivity may be contributing to your child's ADHD symptoms, talk to your ADHD dietitian or doctor about trying an elimination diet.
If you're trying to lose weight with ADHD, routine is key. It can be helpful to identify what time you're going to eat main meals (and snacks if they're part of your plan). Setting an alarm in your phone to remind you to eat at your set times can be helpful. Time restricted eating can support weight loss.
A few examples include dancing, Zumba classes, soccer, tennis and racquetball, running (especially with a running group), walking, HIIT and Tabata, and jump rope. Martial arts — including ju jit su, karate, and tae kwon do — are also a good aerobic exercise for individuals diagnosed with ADHD.
Symptoms may include: sensitivity to certain textures, fabrics, clothing tags, or other things that may rub against the skin. unable to hear or focus over background sounds. dislike of certain food flavors or textures.
ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.