The study by Leventakou and colleagues is emblematic of a welcome change in focus in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) research. First, the authors focused on the overlooked association between ADHD and aberrant eating patterns, reflecting an emerging change in the conceptualization of ADHD as a condition affecting not only high-level cognitive processes but also more basic functions such as eating and sleeping, as well as the underlying complex metabolic and possibly inflammatory pathways. Second, the authors focused, for the first time, on the relationship between ADHD and eating disorders in preschoolers, which is of relevance for the design of preventive strategies. Third, they zoomed closely to several types of aberrant eating behaviours; besides confirming the association of ADHD symptoms to emotional overeating, they also found an intriguing relationship between impulsivity and food fussiness. Further changes in perspective focusing on the underlying mechanisms, as well as using a wide-angle lens to capture the longitudinal relationship between ADHD and aberrant eating behaviours will not only provide a more detailed (clinical) picture of individuals with ADHD but will also hopefully lead to more effective preventive/treatment strategies.
Keywords: eating; somatic.
© 2016 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.