Eating Problems and Overlap with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Nationwide Twin Study of 9- and 12-Year-Old Children

الملخص EN

Aim.

To establish the prevalence of restrictive eating problems, the overlap and association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to estimate the heritability of eating problems in a general population sample of twins aged 9 and 12.

Methods.

Parents of all Swedish 9- and 12-year-old twin pairs born between 1993 and 1998 (n=12,366) were interviewed regarding symptoms of ADHD, ASD, and eating problems (EAT-P).

Intraclass correlations and structural equation modelling were used for evaluating the influence of genetic and environmental factors.

Cross-twin, cross-trait correlations were used to indicate a possible overlap between conditions.

Results.

The prevalence of eating problems was 0.6% in the study population and was significantly higher in children with ADHD and/or ASD.

Among children with eating problems, 40% were screened positive for ADHD and/or ASD.

Social interaction problems were strongly associated with EAT-P in girls, and impulsivity and activity problems with EAT-P in boys.

The cross-twin, cross-trait correlations suggested low correlations between EAT-P and ADHD or EAT-P and ASD.

Genetic effects accounted for 44% of the variation in liability for eating problems.

Conclusions.

In the group with eating problems, there was a clear overrepresentation of individuals with ADHD and/or ASD symptoms.