Date of Award
1-1-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Psychology
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Aaron Lee
Second Advisor
John Young
Third Advisor
Sarah Bilsky
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more vulnerable to developing obesity, as they have significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and are at increased risk of food addiction and binge eating. Stimulant medication use, which is an evidence-based treatment for ADHD, is associated with lower BMI and higher blood pressure among normal weight youth. The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal influence of ADHD and stimulant medication use on BMI and blood pressure trajectories among a sample of 456 youth treated in a weight management clinic. Mixed linear modeling examined the main and interactive effects of time (months) by ADHD status and stimulant medication use on BMI and blood pressure, controlling for age, sex, race, and number of visits. We found that ADHD and stimulant medication use moderated changes in BMI over time. Youth without ADHD treated in a weight management clinic experienced a significantly faster decrease in BMI compared to youth with ADHD (B = 0.01, SE = 0.002, p = .002). Youth taking stimulant medication had a significantly faster decrease in BMI in comparison to youth not taking stimulant medication (B = -0.01, SE = 0.003, p = .031). We found no significant effect of ADHD status or stimulant medication use on diastolic or systolic blood pressure trajectories over time (ps > .05).
Recommended Citation
Kollin, Sophie, "The Longitudinal Influence of ADHD Status and Stimulant Medication on Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure among Obese Youth" (2022). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2241.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2241
Concentration/Emphasis
Clinical Psychology