Is it common for people with inattentive ADD to be overweight?

Many of the people I know who do have ADD have the hyperactive kind, where they pretty much cannot keep still and, if anything, have trouble keeping weight ON.

I, on the other hand, have the inattentive type (along with congenital hypothyroidism and depression); I've also struggled with being overweight for most of my life.

Currently not on any medication, though my therapist is going to call my GP on Monday to discuss the diagnosis with him because she thinks I could probably benefit from being medicated.

In the meantime, people who are only familiar with the hyperactive side of ADD and are unaware that an inattentive type even exists don't seem to understand how someone could have ADD and be overweight.

Just wondering if this is common, or if it's more likely to be related to my low metabolism from the hypothyroidism?

I don't know if it is common but when i was a boy i was an overweight person and i have SCT so maybe it is just me and u or maybe it is a common issue however i think it is common.


The easiest way to lose weight is strength training I lost a lot of fat through it, however you need to focus on losing fat weight and not just weight you will be slim in no time.

How can I guess this poster is under the age of 30? ;)

The easiest way to lose weight is strength training I lost a lot of fat through it, however you need to focus on losing fat weight and not just weight you will be slim in no time.

I received a diagnosis of 'combined' type of ADHD over a decade ago. Except for a few short periods I have been overweight my entire life.

I would give less credit to the type of ADD I was diagnosed with and more to the fact that my body type comes straight outta Bavaria!

Having ADD, you have low Dopamine levels in your brain, and this can cause cravings, especially for sugar and other refined carbs. People who lack Dopamine are more likely to overeat than "regular" people.

They're still doing research on the link between Dopamine defieciency and eating disorders like Bulimia and Compulsive Overeating- but there is definitely a link.

Having "inactive" ADD on top of possessing this chassis doesn't help.

But just wait until we have a grain famine caused by a volcanic eruption on the other side of the world! I'll be laughing at all you thin people!

Having ADD, you have low Dopamine levels in your brain, and this can cause cravings, especially for sugar and other refined carbs. People who lack Dopamine are more likely to overeat than "regular" people.

They're still doing research on the link between Dopamine defieciency and eating disorders like Bulimia and Compulsive Overeating- but there is definitely a link.

BTW I like your signature Ethereal: "My friends have University diplomas- I have diagnoses".

Oh too true...

I would give less credit to the type of ADD I was diagnosed with and more to the fact that my body type comes straight outta Bavaria!

Yeah...I think genetics has a lot to do with weight, and things like hyperactivity play a secondary role. I'm inattentive, and was always stick thin (till I had kids, anyway). My mom was also stick thin growing up, and now that she's older, she gains weight primarily in her midsection. I'm not overweight now, though I could probably stand to lose 10 lbs--and guess where that 10 lbs is? All the stomach area. So that is pure genetics.

Now, I totally agree that someone who's hyperactive and on the go all day long is going to burn off everything they eat in a day, but I think everyone has a genetic tendency to either gain or not gain weight according to a certain pattern, and then your own eating habits and activity level can affect that. Lacking hyperactivity or a very active lifestyle, I think inattentive ADDers' weight will just follow their genetic pattern.

The genetics plays almost like 80% of your weight issues when you are not monitoring you diet/exercising(you may have slow metabolism, eat too much, have a sugar carving or been inactive that is the genetic part)


However keeping a healthy diet and exercising will make the genetics influence like 35%.


BTW, Retromancer I am less than 30 which I consider a good thing because now I know that I have ADHD and I am still young so it won't disable/effect me anymore :)

Plus I have lost around 33 lbs (15 kg) in 6 months and I was overweight since the minute I born and now my BMI is around 25 so it is not a big issue you just need something too motivate you to stay on track long enough (like 6 months or more).

der_vogel...

Recent diagnosis, right? ADHD is a "developmental" disorder, like it or not you are going to be dealing with it -- for the rest of your life.
As you age your basal metabolism ramps down. It will get harder and harder to keep your 'BMI' at that magic 25.

Get back to me in another decade or so.

The genetics plays almost like 80% of your weight issues when you are not monitoring you diet/exercising(you may have slow metabolism, eat too much, have a sugar carving or been inactive that is the genetic part)


However keeping a healthy diet and exercising will make the genetics influence like 35%.


BTW, Retromancer I am less than 30 which I consider a good thing because now I know that I have ADHD and I am still young so it won't disable/effect me anymore :)

Plus I have lost around 33 lbs (15 kg) in 6 months and I was overweight since the minute I born and now my BMI is around 25 so it is not a big issue you just need something too motivate you to stay on track long enough (like 6 months or more).

der_vogel...

BTW I like your signature Ethereal: "My friends have University diplomas- I have diagnoses".

Oh too true...

Thanks- it sounds better in Norwegian, though. It was just something I said during a conversation with my mother about my issues etc. My mother actually wrote it down. :D

I was actually underweight while I was on ritalin years ago. I just didn't eat on it. then I gained a few lbs after I got off of it, but still on the low end of 'normal' for years. I simply forgot to eat a lot. right now I am somewhat overweight (160lbs 5'5") but I just had a baby a few months ago and gained a lot. I have already lost a few lbs but with my first baby it took me almost two years to get down to 135 where I am happy. I don't feel like I do anything special. I don't exercise because I also have a breathing problem and anything slow like weights is just too boreing to keep doing long enough to make a diffrence....

Having ADD, you have low Dopamine levels in your brain, and this can cause cravings, especially for sugar and other refined carbs. People who lack Dopamine are more likely to overeat than "regular" people. ....

this makes sence. I am a total sugar addict. I NEED sugar every. single. day. I have tried to cut down and have tried what 'they' say about eating more protiens, eating more often, etc. doesn't help. even while eating other stuff I am thinking about what sugary thing I am gonna have after. I wait for my 3yo to take a nap so I don't have to share (is that wrong?). my dentist told me that ice cream is better if you must have sugar though :)

does anyone know if having low dopamine levals predisposis you to having low levels of related hormones such as prolactin? http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/prescript_galactagogue.html