Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Screen Time, Physical Activity, And Diet Quality: An Essay

Youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may engage in sub-optimal health behaviors including high levels of screen time, low physical activity participation, and consumption of poor diets. These are independent risk factors for adverse health outcomes, and health-related behavior patterns established in childhood can track into adulthood. Thus, identifying and addressing dietary and physical activity habits in populations of youth have important implications for health over the lifespan.

In this book, we found that the diagnosis of ADHD and/or its symptoms are associated with less-than-recommended levels of screen time and poor diet quality, though youth, in general, were found to be engaging in suboptimal sedentary, physical activity, and dietary behaviors.