Factors associated with the risk of eating disorders and emotional eating in the adult population with ADHD
Name: GABRIELA GRILLO DA SILVA
Publication date: 29/04/2025
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| FABIOLA LACERDA PIRES SOARES | Presidente |
| LIANE MURARI ROCHA | Examinador Externo |
| MIRELLE LOMAR VIANA | Examinador Interno |
Summary: Introduction: The characteristics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
may contribute to the development of eating disorders (EDs) in this population, in
addition to their frequent engagement in emotional eating. Objective: To assess the
risk of EDs and emotional eating, as well as their associated factors, in the adult
population with ADHD residing in the Metropolitan Region of Greater Vitória (RMGV).
Method: The study included individuals aged 18 to 59 years with a medical diagnosis
of ADHD. Data were collected through an online questionnaire using self-administered
instruments, which included sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, nutritional status, and
self-compassion score assessments. ED risk was evaluated using the Eating
Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), while emotional eating was assessed
using the "Emotional Eating" subscale of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire –
reduced 21-item version (TFEQ-R21). Data analysis was performed using JASP
software, version 18.3. Results: A total of 151 individuals participated in the study,
68.7% of whom were female. The median age was 25 years, and most participants did
not live with a partner. The median and interquartile range of the EDE-Q score
assessing ED risk was 2.32 (2.41). Regarding the emotional eating score, the value
was 50.00 (44.44). Each 1-point increase in BMI was associated with a 0.053-point
increase in ED risk (p = 0.005). Conversely, each 1-point increase in the self-compassion
score was associated with a 0.339-point decrease in the EDE-Q score (p
= 0.009). Engaging in dieting practices was also linked to an increased risk of EDs.
Mediation analysis revealed that emotional eating mediates the relationship between
these variables and ED risk. When analyzing the factors associated with emotional
eating as an outcome, higher BMI, dieting practices, marital status, and the presence
of comorbidities were found to be predictors of increased emotional eating in this
population. Conclusion: Higher BMI and dieting practices are associated with
increased ED risk, whereas self-compassion appears to be a protective factor.
Emotional eating mediates the relationship between these variables and ED risk.
Additionally, higher BMI, dieting practices, marital status, and the presence of
comorbidities are predictors of increased emotional eating in this population.
