Comparison of Eating Behavior of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Children with Normal Development

Abstract

This study aims to compare the eating behavior of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and normal children. In line with this purpose, the correlational survey model was used in the research. The study group consisted of children aged 7, 8, and 9 years who were diagnosed with ADHD (N=64) and with normal development (N=96). The study group was reached in Istanbul province through the institutions where children receive education. Children’s ADHD symptoms were measured using the Vanderbilt Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Parent Rating Scale (Vanderbilt ADHD PRS) that was adapted into Turkish by Küçük-Doğaroğlu (2013), while their eating behavior was measured with the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) that was adapted into Turkish by Yılmaz, Esmeray, and Erkorkmaz (2011). As the data set was not normally distributed, the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test, which are nonparametric tests, were used. The results of the study showed that children with ADHD had significantly higher scores in all subscales (food responsiveness, emotional overeating, enjoyment of food, desire to drink, satiety responsiveness, and slowness in eating) except emotional under-eating and food fussiness than children with normal development. Examining the children with ADHD, females were found to have significantly higher scores in the emotional overeating subscale than males, while males were found to have significantly higher scores in the hyperactivity subscale than females. No difference was found in ADHD symptoms by age.