The association between adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and lifestyle factors: findings from the UK Biobank.
- 1School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, 3498838, Israel.
- 2Institute of Biochemistry, Food and Nutrition, Robert H. Smith, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
- 3School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, 3498838, Israel. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder, with diagnosis persisting in adulthood in up to 55% of cases. The association of ADHD with health-related behaviors in middle-aged and older adults remains relatively underexplored. We examined the relationship between ADHD in later adulthood and nutritional and lifestyle factors.Methods
This cross-sectional study included UK Biobank participants aged 40 years and older. Individuals reporting ADHD diagnosis were compared to age- and sex-matched individuals with a ratio of 1:10. Multivariate linear, logistic and multinominal regression models were used to assess the relationship of ADHD diagnosis with lifestyle factors, adjusting for sex, age, education, BMI, sleeplessness, alcohol intake, smoking and physical activity. Interaction with age and sex were additionally tested.Results
The sample included 133 individuals with ADHD diagnosis and 1330 in the comparison group (mean age 56.0 ± 7.9 years, 42.8% men). After adjusting for potential confounders, ADHD was significantly associated with higher likelihood of being a former or current smoker (OR [95% CI], 2.2 [1.4, 3.3]; p < .001; 2.2 [1.2, 4]; p = .02 respectively), increased alcohol intake (OR [95% CI] 1.8 [1.1, 3]; p=.01), and higher energy intake (β [SE], 0.7 [0.4]; p < .001). The association between ADHD and smoking was stronger among men compared to women (p-for interaction=0.006). No significant associations were found between ADHD diagnosis and adherence to the Mediterranean diet or physical activity.Conclusion
Our findings, which demonstrate associations between adult ADHD diagnosis and health-related behaviors, underscore the need for tailored health promotion strategies to mitigate long-term health risks in this population.
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BibTeX
@article{porat2026association,
title = {{The association between adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and lifestyle factors: findings from the UK Biobank.}},
author = {Magali Kozin Porat and Anna Aronis and Galit Weinstein},
journal = {BMC psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12888-026-08501-3},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009880},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The association between adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and lifestyle factors: findings from the UK Biobank.
AU - Magali Kozin Porat
AU - Anna Aronis
AU - Galit Weinstein
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/14
JO - BMC psychiatry
DO - 10.1186/s12888-026-08501-3
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009880
AB - Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder, with diagnosis persisting in adulthood in up to 55% of cases. The association of ADHD with health-related behaviors in middle-aged and older adults remains relatively underexplored. We examined the relationship between ADHD in later adulthood and nutritional and lifestyle factors.Methods This cross-sectional study included UK Biobank participants aged 40 years and older. Individuals reporting ADHD diagnosis were compared to age- and sex-matched individuals with a ratio of 1:10. Multivariate linear, logistic and multinominal regression models were used to assess the relationship of ADHD diagnosis with lifestyle factors, adjusting for sex, age, education, BMI, sleeplessness, alcohol intake, smoking and physical activity. Interaction with age and sex were additionally tested.Results The sample included 133 individuals with ADHD diagnosis and 1330 in the comparison group (mean age 56.0 ± 7.9 years, 42.8% men). After adjusting for potential confounders, ADHD was significantly associated with higher likelihood of being a former or current smoker (OR [95% CI], 2.2 [1.4, 3.3]; p < .001; 2.2 [1.2, 4]; p = .02 respectively), increased alcohol intake (OR [95% CI] 1.8 [1.1, 3]; p=.01), and higher energy intake (β [SE], 0.7 [0.4]; p < .001). The association between ADHD and smoking was stronger among men compared to women (p-for interaction=0.006). No significant associations were found between ADHD diagnosis and adherence to the Mediterranean diet or physical activity.Conclusion Our findings, which demonstrate associations between adult ADHD diagnosis and health-related behaviors, underscore the need for tailored health promotion strategies to mitigate long-term health risks in this population.
SN - 1471-244X
ER -