Relationship between eating attitude and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in a group of bariatric surgery candidates: A pilot study

Abstract

Aim: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is more common in bariatric surgery candidates who are more failed to loseweight. We decided to evaluate eating attitudes and ADHD in a group of bariatric surgery candidates.Material and Methods: We created a study group from bariatric surgery candidates (n=40) from outpatient psychiatry clinic ofHaydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), WenderUtah Rating Scale (WURS), Adult attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), DSM IV- baseddiagnostic screening and rating scale, Beck depression inventory (BDI) and eating attitude test (EAT) were applied to all participants.Results: 77.5% of 40 bariatric surgery candidates (n=31) were women. Rate of childhood ADHD was 17.5% based to WURS cut offpoint. Rate of adult ADHD was found 7.5%. Mean point of total Adult ADD/ADHD DSM IV- based diagnostic screening and ratingscale score was 36.12±20.55. Mean point of attention deficit score was 6.35±4.62, hyperactivity score was 6.07±4.99 and relatedproperties score was 23.72±13.86. Mean point of EAT was 24.20±10.61. Mean point of BDI score was 14.05±+9.47.Conclusion: Symptoms of adult ADHD, childhood ADHD, disordered eating patterns and high levels of depressive symptoms arecommon and that they are positively correlated in bariatric surgery candidates (BSCs). Some factors about ADHD (total ADHD scoreand related factors with ADHD) have a clear association with eating attitude. All these factors must be taken into consideration bytreatment team of BSCs.