When children are given powerful ADHD drugs, brace for unintended consequences

Well THIS was not supposed to happen…

A new study finds that men are twice as likely to be obese in middle age if they were diagnosed with ADHD as children.

ADHD drugs like Ritalin and Adderall can suppress appetite. So in theory, these middle-aged guys should be rail thin.

But this is the THIRD study to find a link between childhood ADHD and obesity later in life for men.

Why the link is there is a mystery. Some scientists guess it’s genetics. Some say it’s environmental factors. Maybe it’s dietary. Maybe it’s… blah blah blah.

Or maybe it’s — oh, I don’t know — the drugs!?

The pills suppress appetite, but that doesn’t mean a subdued child (or man) won’t knock back a few Mountain Dews and polish off a whole bag of Cheetos. Especially while he’s just doing what everyone always insisted he do… “Stop! Sit still! Relax! Tone it down! Let’s have some quiet time!”

Ritalin: turning healthy, active boys into zombie-like, overweight couch potatoes since 1987.

Sources:
“Increased risk of adult obesity is one of the long-term consequences facing children with ADHD, even if their diagnostic symptoms fade” Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 5/20/13, scientificamerican.com