Comparing Eating Behaviors, Parental Feeding Practice, and Body Mass Index Among Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Typically Developing Children

This study compared children's eating behaviors, body mass index, and parents' feeding practices between typically developing (TD) children and children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In this descriptive study, 95 children with ADHD and 95 TD children aged 6 to 11 years were studied. The Conner's parents rating scale, the comprehensive feeding practice questionnaire, and the child eating behavior questionnaire were completed for both groups. In addition, both groups' weight and body mass index were measured and calculated. Clinical interviews and the Kiddie Schedule were held for both groups. The obtained data were analyzed by the independent t test and the Chi-square test in SPSS software, version 19.0, at a significance level of less than 0.05.

The two groups showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics and feeding practices. The parents in the two groups were similar in all study variables except for emotional control and monitoring over feeding practice. The correlation between body mass index and child eating behavior scores showed significant relationships with food disorder (r=-0.281, P=0.006), enjoyment of food (r=0.295, P=0.004), and food responsiveness/emotional binge (r=0.288, P=0.005).According to the stepwise regression, the predictors of body mass index were weight restraints and food disorder in the ADHD group and health restraints in the control group. 

This study found no significant differences between TD children and ADHD children regarding weight, body mass index, eating behavior, or parental feeding practice. Further research is needed to evaluate related variables, such as physical activity and birth weight.