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When we think of ADHD, we often picture hyperactivity, forgetfulness, and difficulty focusing. But there’s a lesser-known side of ADHD that deserves more attention: its strong connection to disordered eating.
Emerging research shows that people with ADHD are significantly more likely to experience eating disorders (EDs) than the general population. This is especially true for binge eating and bulimia, but also applies to restrictive eating patterns in some cases. Understanding this connection is key to improving your care and outcomes—especially for women, who are often underdiagnosed with ADHD and overrepresented in eating disorder statistics.
How Common Are Eating Disorders in ADHD Populations?
A growing body of evidence confirms that people with ADHD are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop an eating disorder than those without ADHD (Nazar et al., 2016). In some clinical settings, as many as 1 in 3 individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) also meet criteria for ADHD (Leventakou et al., 2016).
The risk appears to vary by type of eating disorder:
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Strongly linked to impulsivity and emotional eating, both of which are common in ADHD.
- Bulimia Nervosa (BN): Impulsive binge-purge cycles often overlap with the emotional and behavioural dysregulation seen in ADHD.
- Anorexia Nervosa (AN): Less common, but more likely in the binge/purge subtype and in individuals with undiagnosed ADHD, particularly females.
Why Is There a Link Between ADHD and Eating Disorders?
- Impulsivity
ADHD is characterised by impulsive decision-making and difficulty delaying gratification. These traits can contribute to spontaneous or compulsive eating, often followed by feelings of regret or loss of control fuelling unhelpful bingeing and restrictive eating styles. - Executive Functioning Difficulties
Struggles with planning, organisation, and consistency make it harder for those with ADHD to maintain structured eating patterns, leading to skipped meals, erratic snacking, or emotional eating. If we are unable to eat regularly and well, our hunger and satiety hormones become dysregulated affecting our weight, and weight loss behaviour. - Emotional Dysregulation
Emotions can feel especially intense for people with ADHD (especially those experiencing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria). Food may be used as a coping mechanism to self-soothe during emotional highs and lows—fuelling patterns of binge or restrictive eating. - Reward Sensitivity and Dopamine
Both ADHD and certain eating disorders are linked to dysregulation in dopamine—the brain’s “reward” chemical. High-sugar, high-fat foods may feel especially rewarding, reinforcing binge-type behaviours and the guilt and shame that often accompany this behaviour. - Gender and Diagnostic Gaps
Women with ADHD are more likely to internalise their symptoms (e.g., low self-esteem, perfectionism, anxiety). This internal distress may manifest as disordered eating, especially in the absence of a formal ADHD diagnosis.
The Importance of Screening and Early Support
Despite the evidence, many people with ADHD go undiagnosed until adulthood—especially women—by which time disordered eating habits may already be entrenched. This makes screening for both ADHD and eating behaviours essential to promote progress and reduce relapse.
The WeightWise Clinic routinely screens for ADHD and eating disorders, along with other key factors known to negatively impact weight loss success. If you suspect undiagnosed ADHD and / or disordered eating may be impacting your weight loss efforts, then please consider making an appointment with me to explore this further.
References
- Barkley, R. A. (1997). Behavioral inhibition, sustained attention, and executive functions: constructing a unifying theory of ADHD. Psychological bulletin, 121(1), 65.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.121.1.65 - Bleck, J. R., DeBate, R. D., & Olivardia, R. (2015). The comorbidity of ADHD and eating disorders in a nationally representative sample. The journal of behavioral health services & research, 42, 437-451.1031–1040.
- Ptacek, R., Stefano, G. B., Weissenberger, S., Akotia, D., Raboch, J., Papezova, H., … & Goetz, M. (2016). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and disordered eating behaviors: links, risks, and challenges faced. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 571-579.
- Sala, L., Martinotti, G., Carenti, M. L., Romo, L., Oumaya, M., Pham-Scottez, A., … & Janiri, L. (2018). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and psychological comorbidity in eating disorder patients. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 23, 513-519.
- Svedlund, N. E., Norring, C., Ginsberg, Y., & von Hausswolff-Juhlin, Y. (2017). Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among adult eating disorder patients. BMC psychiatry, 17, 1-9.
- Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. J., Kollins, S. H., Wigal, T. L., Newcorn, J. H., Telang, F., … & Swanson, J. M. (2009). Evaluating dopamine reward pathway in ADHD: clinical implications. Jama, 302(10), 1084-1091. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.1308