How Diagnosing ADHD in Childhood Can Lead to a Longer, Healthier Life, Says Study
For many parents, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a familiar challenge. Signs typically are forgetfulness, trouble with focus, and morning routines that take forever. But a new study suggests the impact of ADHD can stretch much further across a person’s life than we thought.
According to research just published in JAMA Network Open, children who show higher levels of ADHD traits (whether they received a formal diagnosis or not) were significantly more likely to develop multiple physical health problems by age 46. The research also found that they could experience physical disability more likely than peers without those traits.
“Here we have added to the concerning evidence base that people with ADHD are more likely to experience worse health than average across their lifespan,” senior author Joshua Stott, PhD, a professor of aging and clinical psychology at University College London, said in a press release. “People with ADHD can thrive with the right support, but this is often lacking, both due to a shortage of tailored support services but also because ADHD remains underdiagnosed, particularly in people in midlife and older, with needs unaddressed.”
The study, published on Wednesday, followed more than 10,900 people from childhood into midlife, drawing on data from the long-running 1970 British cohort study run by University College London. Researchers used behavior questionnaires completed when the participants were 10 years old to measure ADHD traits (not just whether a doctor had ever diagnosed them).
Here’s what they found by age 46 through their research:
- People with higher childhood ADHD traits had more physical health conditions overall.
- They had a 14% higher chance of multimorbidity. That means, they had two or more co-occurring chronic conditions, like migraines, back problems, cancer, epilepsy, or diabetes.
- About 42% of adults who had high ADHD traits at age 10 had multimorbidity by midlife, compared with roughly 37% of those without high ADHD traits.
- People with higher childhood ADHD traits were also more likely to report physical disability (which they defined as health problems that limit their work or daily activities).
In other words, ADHD traits in childhood weren’t just tied to life challenges like school struggles. They were linked to lifelong physical health consequences long after.
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Why Might ADHD Affect Physical Health?
The researchers didn’t just report on the connection between ADHD and physical health, though. They also looked at why they might exist. Their analysis suggested that part of the link stems from life-long risk factors that tend to cluster with ADHD, including:
- Higher rates of smoking
- Greater psychological distress
- Increased body mass index (BMI)
These factors explained some of the association between childhood ADHD traits and worse physical health in midlife. It’s important to note that the connection being made by the study isn’t merely biological; it’s connected to behaviors and lifestyle patterns that ADHD can influence. Behaviors like impulsivity and difficulties with planning, for instance, can make it harder for those with ADHD to support healthy routines like regular exercise or preventative care.
Women May Shoulder a Heavier Burden
Interestingly, the study’s findings hinted that the impact of ADHD on “physical health–related disability” was particularly strong for women. Although both men and women with higher ADHD traits faced more health conditions overall, women showed a somewhat stronger link between childhood ADHD traits and physical limitations by midlife.
Experts aren’t yet sure why this gender difference appears, but it aligns with broader patterns seen in health research. Women face hormonal differences, for example, which can impact wellness in certain ways.
What This Means for You and Your Family
So what can parents take away from the research? Even if a child doesn’t get a formal ADHD diagnosis, signs of ADHD traits in early years could indicate risk for later physical health challenges. Early awareness might allow for more proactive monitoring and support, plus support healthy habits early.
In addition, instead of just focusing only on school performance or behavioral symptoms if your child has ADHD, they can benefit from a broader approach, like including prioritizing their physical health.
Overall, for families navigating ADHD, the new evidence reinforces something many parents already know: that this condition is not “just a phase,” but something that can influence your child’s life in the future.