A new video featuring MRC IEU research about ADHD and childhood obesity is this week’s highlight on the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Learning Network web site.

In the video, Dr Evie Stergiakouli, Senior Lecturer in Genetic Epidemiology, discussed recent research showing that ADHD can cause childhood obesity and coronary artery disease. The study used Mendelian randomisation to overcome three key problems of observational trials: selection bias, confounding and reverse causation.

Dr Stergiakouli also outlined the significance of the results. For example, reducing ADHD symptoms in children could result in reduced childhood obesity, less impact on physical health in adulthood, and perhaps reduce the economic impact of ADHD.

The research was carried out by Dr Stergiakouli and colleagues from the MRC IEU, including Beate Leppert and Robyn Wootton. Collaborators from Cardiff University were also involved in the study.

Link to video: https://www.psychcongress.com/multimedia/genetics-based-statistical-approach-links-adhd-childhood-obesity

Link to research paper: https://academic.oup.com/aje/advance-article/doi/10.1093/aje/kwaa273/6038968