Childhood ADHD May Raise Midlife Health Risks, Study Finds: Migraine, Diabetes, Cancer and More
According to a new study reported by NDTV, childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) traits may be associated with a higher risk of physical health problems later in life, including by midlife.
The report summarizes the findings from a study that was published in the journal JAMA Network Open and looked into whether children with more pronounced ADHD traits are more prone to poorer health as adults.
The study indicates that individuals who had more ADHD traits in childhood were more likely to report multiple physical health conditions at the age of 40. NDTV mentions that the health risk increase was around 14%.
In a more practical sense, the study correlates traits of childhood ADHD with a higher likelihood of developing various conditions by midlife, such as:
- Migraine
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Physical disability
The NDTV report notes these as key health risks associated with childhood ADHD traits, based on the study’s findings.
How common were multiple health problems?
In another summary of the same research, it is stated that by the time people reached midlife, the majority of those who exhibited higher childhood ADHD traits reported having multiple health issues. MedicalXpress says that 42% of high ADHD traits individuals had two or more health problems, while the 37% was the percentage among non-high ADHD traits individuals.
ADHD is a topic that is mostly referred to as a child disorder which affects mainly attention, impulse control, and school performance. This research puts forward one more aspect: it implies that the presence of ADHD traits in childhood may also be related to long-term physical health conditions.
Even though the research does not assert that ADHD is the direct cause of these health issues, it does provide a rationale for children with the most pronounced ADHD traits to be subjected to a more regular medical check-up as they grow up.
This is in line with a major area of research indicating that childhood ADHD symptoms may be an indicator of health risks later in life. For instance, a cohort study of a population which is prospectively followed and is available on PubMed has established that childhood ADHD problems were a precursor to multiple cardiovascular risk factors by midlife, and monitoring of cardiovascular risks was advised as many risk factors can be ameliorated if intervention is timely.
The main point is straightforward: childhood ADHD might have an impact not only on the individual’s behavior and academic life but also on their health status in later life and therefore, through early intervention, better monitoring, and long-term care planning, a significant difference can be made.