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Autism, ADHD, and Their Traits in Adults with Obesity: A Scoping Review
by Lauren Makin 1,2,3ORCID,Adia Meyer 4,Elisa Zesch 4ORCID,Valeria Mondelli 1,2 andKate Tchanturia 1,3,4,5,*ORCID
1
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
2
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
3
Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
4
Department of Eating Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
5
Department of Psychology, Ilia State University, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2025, 17(5), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050787 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 24 January 2025 / Revised: 19 February 2025 / Accepted: 21 February 2025 / Published: 24 February 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eating and Mental Health Disorders)
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Abstract
Introduction: Autism and ADHD shape behaviours related to food, exercise, and body image, potentially influencing obesity treatment outcomes, as seen in eating disorder research. Resultantly, autistic and ADHD patients with obesity may have distinct experiences and differences compared to non-autistic and non-ADHD patients. This review maps existing literature on autism and ADHD in adults with obesity. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, six databases (Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Scopus) were searched for studies on autism and/or ADHD (diagnosed, probable, or traits) in adults with obesity. Screening and data extraction were conducted twice independently for each record. Results: Thirty-one studies were included, with 1,027,773 participants. Two case reports described successful use of weight loss drugs in autistic people with obesity. Eight prevalence studies suggested ADHD is overrepresented in obesity, regardless of binge eating status. Nineteen studies examined clinical profiles: ADHD patients had lower socioeconomic status, poorer health-related quality of life, increased impulsivity, cognitive inflexibility, and neuroticism, alongside lower agreeableness, conscientiousness, self-directedness, and cooperativeness. ADHD patients also exhibited higher psychopathology, problematic alcohol use, and disordered eating. Eight studies assessed treatment responses, noting poorer outcomes from behavioural programs and obesity pharmacotherapy, but similar post-surgical weight outcomes, despite increased complications. Two studies considered ADHD-specific treatment adaptions, one reporting a successful trial of ADHD medication for weight loss and the other reporting on switching to transdermal ADHD medications after bariatric surgery. Conclusions: This review underscores the need for more research on autism and obesity. For ADHD, findings suggest frequent co-occurrence with obesity, but lived experiences and tailored interventions remain underexplored.
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Open AccessReview
Autism, ADHD, and Their Traits in Adults with Obesity: A Scoping Review
by Lauren Makin 1,2,3ORCID,Adia Meyer 4,Elisa Zesch 4ORCID,Valeria Mondelli 1,2 andKate Tchanturia 1,3,4,5,*ORCID
1
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
2
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
3
Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
4
Department of Eating Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
5
Department of Psychology, Ilia State University, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2025, 17(5), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050787 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 24 January 2025 / Revised: 19 February 2025 / Accepted: 21 February 2025 / Published: 24 February 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eating and Mental Health Disorders)
Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Review Reports Versions Notes
Abstract
Introduction: Autism and ADHD shape behaviours related to food, exercise, and body image, potentially influencing obesity treatment outcomes, as seen in eating disorder research. Resultantly, autistic and ADHD patients with obesity may have distinct experiences and differences compared to non-autistic and non-ADHD patients. This review maps existing literature on autism and ADHD in adults with obesity. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, six databases (Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Scopus) were searched for studies on autism and/or ADHD (diagnosed, probable, or traits) in adults with obesity. Screening and data extraction were conducted twice independently for each record. Results: Thirty-one studies were included, with 1,027,773 participants. Two case reports described successful use of weight loss drugs in autistic people with obesity. Eight prevalence studies suggested ADHD is overrepresented in obesity, regardless of binge eating status. Nineteen studies examined clinical profiles: ADHD patients had lower socioeconomic status, poorer health-related quality of life, increased impulsivity, cognitive inflexibility, and neuroticism, alongside lower agreeableness, conscientiousness, self-directedness, and cooperativeness. ADHD patients also exhibited higher psychopathology, problematic alcohol use, and disordered eating. Eight studies assessed treatment responses, noting poorer outcomes from behavioural programs and obesity pharmacotherapy, but similar post-surgical weight outcomes, despite increased complications. Two studies considered ADHD-specific treatment adaptions, one reporting a successful trial of ADHD medication for weight loss and the other reporting on switching to transdermal ADHD medications after bariatric surgery. Conclusions: This review underscores the need for more research on autism and obesity. For ADHD, findings suggest frequent co-occurrence with obesity, but lived experiences and tailored interventions remain underexplored.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 31 |
| Journal | Nutrients |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 787 |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Jan 2025 |
