Past Issues

Background: Attention defi cit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prevalence is increasing in eating disorder patients, especially in bulimia nervosa. ADHD may be associated with bulimia and binge eating because both disorders share certain clinical features. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to explore the association between ADHD symptoms and bulimia symptoms in Taiwan. Methods: We recruited 409 college students from a medical school. We assessed the participants with Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Chinese Version (ASRS), the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE), Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Family APGAR scale. Multiple regression was performed to investigate the relationship between the bulimic and binge eating symptoms with the age, gender, depression symptoms, family support and ADHD symptoms. Results: College students screened positive with bulimia had signifi cantly higher depression, hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms than those screened negative (p < 0.05). The ASRS inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity scores were modestly correlated with BITE symptoms, severity and total scores. The result of subsequent linear regression showed that hyperactivity/impulsivity and depression symptoms were constantly associated with BITE symptoms, severity and total scores. Conclusions: The present study showed that hyperactivity, impulsivity and depression symptoms are associated with binge eating behaviors. Assessment for eating disorder in ADHD patients may be indicated.