Health, lifestyle habits, and physical fitness among adults with ADHD compared with a random sample of a Swedish general population

Abstract

Background: Persons with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) represent a highrisk population according to health and lifestyles. In the present study, 48 adults with ADHD were recruited to a forthcoming lifestyle intervention. The ADHD sample was matched to a random sample of 42 persons from a Swedish general population that was selected from LIV (a Lifestyle-Performance-Health project). Objective: To identify potential differences in health, lifestyle habits, and physical fitness between adults with and without ADHD. Method: Self-reported questionnaires and physical fitness tests. Results: The ADHD group show worse health outcomes with higher odds ratios for bad general health (OR;13 CI; (3,4-50)), and poorer lifestyle habits with higher odds ratios for low weekly exercise (OR; 3,8 CI; (1,2-13)). When adjusting for education, employment status, and cash margin, the ADHD sample did not show decreased aerobic fitness (OR; 0,9 CI; (0,8-1,0), but lower odds ratios for doing less sit-ups (OR; 0,6 CI; (0,4-0,9)) compared to the general population group. Conclusion: It is not possible to prove that the ADHD diagnosis itself cause the worse health and lifestyle. Other lifestyle factors may have negative consequences of adult ADHD, such as lower levels of education, less succeed in working life, and minor financial margins.

Longitudinal Associations Between Symptoms of ADHD and BMI From Late Childhood to Early Adulthood

“…3,17,18 Our study was set up to identify direct effects between ADHD symptoms and BMI in between childhood and adulthood, but they were absent, so we could not bridge this gap. ADHD symptoms during adulthood are associated with poor occupational outcomes, being arrested, sedentary behavior, poor diet, financial struggle, and divorce, [27][28][29][30] all of which are associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and, consequently, overweight and obesity. Thus, it might be speculated that the stronger association between ADHD and BMI in adulthood may become established later when lifestyle habits outside the family of origin become engrained.…”

Disparities of health service for the poor in the coastal area: does Universal health coverage reduce disparities?

“…Poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity are more prevalent in lower socioeconomic groups [5][6][7][8][9]. The propensity to use preventive health services, e.g., regular medical checkups or consult minor health problems with a physician is a rare practice in the lower socioeconomic group [10,11].…”

Mental Health in Adults With ADHD: Examining the Relationship With Cardiorespiratory Fitness

“…Mental illnesses like depression and anxiety can impair concentration and augment the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of ADHD ( Pan & Yeh, 2017 ). Although it is true that mood and emotional problems can be a side effect of ADHD medications ( Tobaiqy et al, 2011 ), many people with ADHD report experiencing anxiety and depression from the sheer act of navigating in a world that is constrained by neurotypical societal expectations (e.g., the expectation that one must sustain focus for long periods of time at work or school) ( Björk et al, 2018 ). Poorer academic achievement, poorer occupational attainment, and lower socioeconomic status are some of the negative fallouts of such a mismatch ( Arnold et al, 2020 ; Goffer et al, 2022 ), which in turn, can exacerbate their psychological burden.…”