Visceral Adipose Tissue Accumulation in Children with Obesity and Co-Occurring ADHD: A Case-Control Analysis of Body Fat Distribution Patterns
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| Title: | Visceral Adipose Tissue Accumulation in Children with Obesity and Co-Occurring ADHD: A Case-Control Analysis of Body Fat Distribution Patterns |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Muhan Li (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Attention Disorders. 2026 30(6):747-756. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obesity, Human Body, Children, Preadolescents, Body Composition, Metabolism, Individual Characteristics, Foreign Countries, Comorbidity |
| Geographic Terms: | China (Beijing) |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10870547251397010 |
| ISSN: | 1087-0547 1557-1246 |
| Abstract: | Objective: ADHD and obesity frequently co-occur in children, yet differences in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) distribution between co-occurring ADHD + Obesity and obesity alone are incompletely characterized. This study compared depot-specific adiposity between these groups. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis (December 2022-2024, Beijing Children's Hospital) included 306 children (6-12 years) stratified into: ADHD + Obesity (n = 65), obesity-only (n = 77), and Control (n = 164). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance. Group comparisons for depot-specific adiposity and metabolic markers were performed using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, and BMI z-score. Results: The ADHD + Obesity group exhibited significantly greater visceral adiposity than the Obesity-only group, as reflected by a 16.84 cm2 larger visceral fat area (VFA) and a 1.03 kg/m2 higher fat mass index (FMI). The ADHD + Obesity group also showed a more adverse metabolic profile, including elevated liver enzymes and fasting glucose. Conclusion: Excess visceral adiposity represents a distinct phenotypic feature of ADHD + Obesity. These findings support the need for integrated clinical management addressing both neurobehavioral and metabolic domains and inform future mechanistic investigations. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1504250 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Objective: ADHD and obesity frequently co-occur in children, yet differences in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) distribution between co-occurring ADHD + Obesity and obesity alone are incompletely characterized. This study compared depot-specific adiposity between these groups. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis (December 2022-2024, Beijing Children's Hospital) included 306 children (6-12 years) stratified into: ADHD + Obesity (n = 65), obesity-only (n = 77), and Control (n = 164). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance. Group comparisons for depot-specific adiposity and metabolic markers were performed using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, and BMI z-score. Results: The ADHD + Obesity group exhibited significantly greater visceral adiposity than the Obesity-only group, as reflected by a 16.84 cm2 larger visceral fat area (VFA) and a 1.03 kg/m2 higher fat mass index (FMI). The ADHD + Obesity group also showed a more adverse metabolic profile, including elevated liver enzymes and fasting glucose. Conclusion: Excess visceral adiposity represents a distinct phenotypic feature of ADHD + Obesity. These findings support the need for integrated clinical management addressing both neurobehavioral and metabolic domains and inform future mechanistic investigations. |
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| ISSN: | 1087-0547 1557-1246 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10870547251397010 |
