Are people with ADHD overweight?

Are People With ADHD Overweight? What You Need to Know

It’s not just about food — ADHD and weight are linked

This question hits close to home. I was having coffee with my friend Alex last week — he was recently diagnosed with ADHD at 31 — and in the middle of talking about focus issues and impulsivity, he suddenly said, “You know what sucks? I’ve gained 20 pounds and I can’t even tell you how or why.”

That right there? Is way more common than people think.

So let’s tackle this straight on: Are people with ADHD more likely to be overweight?
The answer is yes — statistically speaking — but the why is layered, messy, and sometimes painfully relatable.

What the research says: yes, there’s a connection

Studies show a higher risk of obesity in people with ADHD

Multiple studies — including a large meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Psychiatry — have found that children and adults with ADHD are significantly more likely to be overweight or obese compared to neurotypical peers.

For adults, some studies suggest that the odds are up to 70% higher. That’s huge.

And no, it’s not just about “eating too much.” That’s the frustrating oversimplification.

It’s about impulse control, not willpower

ADHD messes with executive function — things like planning, delaying gratification, staying on track. And that includes eating behavior.

Think:

• Grabbing snacks mindlessly while working

• Craving sugar for dopamine boosts

• Skipping meals then bingeing later

• Struggling to stick to a food routine

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a friend with ADHD say, “I forgot to eat lunch, then inhaled an entire pizza at 10 PM.” And honestly? I’ve been there too.

Medication can help — or complicate things

Stimulants often suppress appetite… temporarily

If you’re on something like Adderall or Vyvanse, you may have noticed this: you forget to eat. Appetite goes way down.

But here’s the tricky part: when the meds wear off, rebound hunger hits hard. Suddenly, your brain's like, “Food. Now. All of it.”

That leads to a weird eating pattern that’s really tough to stabilize.

And if you’re not medicated?

Some folks self-medicate with food. Dopamine-seeking is a thing, and food — especially carbs, sugar, fat — gives short-term satisfaction that ADHD brains chase constantly.

My cousin, who isn’t on meds, told me:
“Sometimes I snack just to stay focused. Like, I’ll eat something every 20 minutes just so I can stay in the zone. Otherwise, I lose track.”
Makes sense, right? But it adds up.

Emotional eating and rejection sensitivity

ADHD and emotional regulation — oof

Another big piece of this puzzle is emotional dysregulation. People with ADHD often feel things more intensely, including stress, boredom, and shame.

That leads to emotional eating.
Or, let’s be real — stress-binging while doom-scrolling Instagram. Been there, done that, hated myself after.

Also, if you deal with rejection sensitive dysphoria (common with ADHD), you might eat to soothe those painful hits to self-worth. Even subconsciously.

So, what can you do if this is you?

First: don’t beat yourself up

Seriously. You’re not lazy. You’re not broken.
This isn’t just about “discipline” or “getting your act together.” Your brain is wired differently, and that affects everything — including how your body processes behavior around food.

Second: work with your brain, not against it

Some things that help:

• Set alarms/reminders to eat regularly (before you get ravenous)

• Prepare snacks/meals in advance so it’s less about decision fatigue

• Track your patterns for a week without judgment. Just observe.

• Seek support — from a therapist, nutritionist, coach, friend, whatever feels right

I’ve seen friends make slow but solid changes this way. No all-or-nothing. Just small adjustments that respect the way their brain functions.

Final thoughts: It’s not just about weight. It’s about understanding.

So… are people with ADHD more likely to be overweight?

Yes — but not because they “lack willpower.”
Because they’re living in a body with a brain that works differently. And when you start recognizing why those differences matter, everything gets clearer.

Alex? He started meal prepping on Sundays and setting a 12:30 pm “eat lunch!” alarm. Nothing huge. But last week, he said:
“For the first time in months, I didn’t end the day feeling like I failed.”

That’s what matters most.
Not the number on the scale.
But the moment you stop blaming yourself and start working with your brain — not against it.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.