Children diagnosed with ADHD, particularly those receiving long-term methylphenidate treatment, demonstrated higher body mass index (BMI) and reduced height at adulthood compared to individuals without ADHD. This matched cohort study examined growth trajectories across early childhood through adulthood, controlling for socioeconomic factors, dietary patterns, and physical activity levels. Findings revealed that methylphenidate exposure was independently associated with increased adiposity and altered body composition, even when accounting for baseline ADHD severity. The mechanism underlying this association remains unclear, potentially involving appetite suppression during medication periods followed by compensatory weight gain during off-medication hours, metabolic alterations, or behavioural responses to dopaminergic changes. The average height differential between treated and untreated ADHD cohorts was modest (approximately 0.5 cm), while BMI differences were more pronounced. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring growth and metabolic parameters in children receiving stimulant medications for ADHD and suggest consideration of individual risk-benefit profiles when initiating long-term pharmaceutical treatment.⁵

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5. Song J, Park SJ, Yu J, et al. ADHD and Methylphenidate Use in Prepubertal Children and BMI and Height at Adulthood. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(1):e2552019.