Is the Relationship Between ADHD Symptoms and Binge Eating Mediated by Impulsivity?

Objective: Individuals with ADHD may be at risk of developing binge eating disorder (BED). Impulsivity correlates with both BED and ADHD; however, more research is needed to explore whether impulsivity plays an underlying role in the observed relationship between ADHD and BED.

Method: Questionnaires were used to assess ADHD and BED symptoms. Multiple questionnaires and a behavioral task were used to assess impulsivity in undiagnosed undergraduate participants (n = 50).

Results: Expected correlations were found among ADHD symptoms, BED tendencies, and measures of impulsivity with the exception of impulsivity on the behavioral task and BED symptoms; however, none of the measures of impulsivity were found to be significant mediators between ADHD and BED symptoms.

Conclusion: Although impulsivity may play an important role in the interrelationship of ADHD and binge eating, other factors may also be critical in the development of this comorbidity. Investigation of this research question in clinical samples is needed.