Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
Evidence of the strong link beteen ADHD and obesity continues to grow - and it continues to suggest ADHD screening should be a standard part of the protocol when people seek treatment for their obesity. The latest comes from the current issue of the journal Postgraduate Medicine:
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Comorbidity Between ADHD and Obesity
by Samuele Cortese, MD, PhD And Carmen Morcillo Pealver, MD
Postgraduate Medicine, Volume 122: No.5, September 2010
(quotes from abstract)
"Recent studies suggest an association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity. In this article, we systematically review and critically discuss evidence on the prevalence of ADHD in obese patients as well as the weight status of individuals with ADHD."
...
We found that current evidence indicates a high prevalence of ADHD in clinical samples of patients seeking treatment for their obesity. Moreover, available studies show that individuals with ADHD have higher-than-average body mass index z scores and/or a significantly higher prevalence of obesity compared with subjects without ADHD.
Three mechanisms underlying the association between ADHD and obesity have been proposed:
1) it is possible that obesity and/or factors associated with it (such as sleep-disordered breathing) manifest as ADHD-like symptoms;
2) ADHD and obesity share common biological dysfunctions; and
3) ADHD contributes to obesity.
...
With regards to the possible clinical implications, our findings suggest that it is noteworthy to screen for ADHD in patients with obesity and to look for abnormal eating behaviors as possible contributing factors of obesity in patients with ADHD. Based on preliminary findings, appropriate treatment of ADHD may improve the weight status of individuals with both obesity and ADHD.
Source: http://www.postgradmed.com/index.php?article=2205
----------------------------------------
Comorbidity Between ADHD and Obesity
by Samuele Cortese, MD, PhD And Carmen Morcillo Pealver, MD
Postgraduate Medicine, Volume 122: No.5, September 2010
(quotes from abstract)
"Recent studies suggest an association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity. In this article, we systematically review and critically discuss evidence on the prevalence of ADHD in obese patients as well as the weight status of individuals with ADHD."
...
We found that current evidence indicates a high prevalence of ADHD in clinical samples of patients seeking treatment for their obesity. Moreover, available studies show that individuals with ADHD have higher-than-average body mass index z scores and/or a significantly higher prevalence of obesity compared with subjects without ADHD.
Three mechanisms underlying the association between ADHD and obesity have been proposed:
1) it is possible that obesity and/or factors associated with it (such as sleep-disordered breathing) manifest as ADHD-like symptoms;
2) ADHD and obesity share common biological dysfunctions; and
3) ADHD contributes to obesity.
...
With regards to the possible clinical implications, our findings suggest that it is noteworthy to screen for ADHD in patients with obesity and to look for abnormal eating behaviors as possible contributing factors of obesity in patients with ADHD. Based on preliminary findings, appropriate treatment of ADHD may improve the weight status of individuals with both obesity and ADHD.
Source: http://www.postgradmed.com/index.php?article=2205
May be beneficial to others..Thanks again.
Cindy
In most people with ADHD, treatment results in a fairly rapid and dramatic improvement in overall quality of life. This has certainly been my experience. I have spoken to many others now who share my experience. Seeing an increasing number of clinicians take this issue more seriously in is a very good sign.
I've been told there is a fairly large study starting now that focuses exclusively on the prevalance of ADHD among patients participating in weight loss surgery programs. While it will be at least a couple of years before results are published (and probably a couple more before such results are independently verified), I am still rather encouraged.
They refuse to have themselves or their children professionally evaluated and they tend to insist that it's just a minor behavioral issue that can be overcome through sheer will power or through 'better discipline at home'.
Fortunately for those who must live with ADHD, the final nails are now being driven in to the coffin of that way of thinking:
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From Nueroscience News:
http://tinyurl.com/adhd-genetic02
Research published today provides the first direct evidence that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a genetic condition.
.....
The condition is highly heritable children with ADHD are statistically more likely to also have a parent with the condition and a child with an identical twin with ADHD has a three in four chance of also having the condition. Even so, until now there has been no direct evidence that the condition is genetic and there has been much controversy surrounding its causes, which some people have put down to poor parenting skills or a sugar-rich diet.
.....
Dr John Williams, Head of Neuroscience and Mental Health at the Wellcome Trust, which has supported Professor Thapars work for ten years, says: These findings are testament to the perseverance of Professor Thapar and colleagues to prove the often unfashionable theory that ADHD is a brain disorder with genetic links. Using leading-edge technology, they have begun to shed light on the causes of what is a complex and often distressing disorder for both the children and their families.
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