Research
Adherence
The prevalence of ADHD in obese patients, particularly those with extreme obesity (BMI >= 40), is significantly higher than in the general adult population.
If you have extreme obesity, you are more likely to have ADHD than the general population. Getting evaluated for ADHD might reveal a treatable condition that could help you adhere to your weight loss plan.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Whole sample ADHD prevalence was 27.4% (CI:21.1,32.9), but 42.6% (CI: 36.3% to 48.9%) for BMI >= 40.
Why this rating
Retrospective study with potential for bias (single interviewer, modified criteria), but large sample size for a clinical record review.
Source
Prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder among adults in obesity treatment
Jules R Altfas · BMC Psychiatry · 2002
DOI 10.1186/1471-244x-2-9
cross_sectional · n=215Cited 238×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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