Published online Oct 19, 2025. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v15.i10.110404
Revised: July 23, 2025
Accepted: September 2, 2025
Published online: October 19, 2025
Processing time: 111 Days and 23.8 Hours
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its pharmacological treatments may influence growth in children and adolescents. This meta-analysis aimed to clarify their effects on the physical development, especially weight and height.
To investigate the effects of ADHD and its treatment on growth in children and adolescents.
Researchers reviewed 18 studies published up to September 2023 from databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science. They analyzed changes in body weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) before and after ADHD treatment, along with the risks of overweight and obesity.
Children with ADHD undergoing long-term medication therapy showed decreased actual weight [weighted mean difference (WMD) = -9.50] and height (WMD = -0.15), along with a slight increase in weight standard deviation scores (WMD = 0.23) and height z scores (WMD = 0.10). BMI showed a non-significant downward trend (WMD = -1.72). Regarding overweight and obesity risks, the pooled odds ratios were 1.37 and 1.16, respectively, but these were not statistically significant.
Overall, the study suggests that long-term pharmacological treatment for ADHD may be associated with reduced growth in weight and height among young patients. However, no clear link was found between ADHD and increased risk of overweight or obesity. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring growth in children receiving medication for ADHD.
Core Tip: This meta-analysis of 18 studies explored how long-term use of medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects growth in children and adolescents. Results show that medication use is linked to decreases in weight and height, with slight increases in weight and height z scores, while body mass index showed a non-significant downward trend. No significant increase in overweight or obesity risk was observed. These findings underscore the need for careful growth monitoring in children on ADHD medication, as long-term treatment may impair physical development without substantially affecting obesity risk. The study highlights important considerations for clinicians managing young patients with ADHD.