The Relationship Between Illicit ADHD Medication Use and Eating Behaviors: Exploring the Impact on Body Weight and Shape

Undergraduate students frequently misuse prescription stimulants intended for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for various non-medical reasons, such as enhancing academic performance, managing weight, or seeking a euphoric effect. As stimulants, a common side effect of ADHD medications is appetite suppression. College students who are aware of this effect may choose to engage in the use of these stimulants for this intended purpose. Although previous research has explored the connections between substance abuse, body image disturbances, and disordered eating behaviors, there is still a gap in understanding the specific relationship between disordered eating patterns and the misuse of illicit ADHD medications. It is hypothesized that non-medical use of ADHD medications will be associated with higher levels of eating, weight, and body image concerns. Thus, the purpose of this study is to address this gap by examining the complex relationship between illicit ADHD medication use, maladaptive eating behaviors, and body dissatisfaction. A total of 805 survey responses were collected from college students across the nation via an anonymous Google form. The survey asked about prescribed and non-prescribed Adderall use, frequency of use, and dependence. Eating behaviors were evaluated using the Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire Short (EDE - QS) and the Food Mood Questionnaire (FMQ). SPSS version 28.0 was used to analyze the data using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient. The results revealed that the frequency of illicit ADHD medication use was positively correlated with disordered eating behaviors, such as feeling a loss of control while eating (p<0.05), making oneself sick (p<0.01), and obsessive exercise tendencies (p<0.01). Perceiving oneself to be dependent on ADHD medication was also positively correlated with behaviors and attitudes related to body weight and shape including fasting (p<0.05), fear of weight gain (p<0.05), strong desire to lose weight (p<0.01), the influence of weight on self-perception (p<0.05) and dissatisfaction with weight (p<0.01). These findings suggest a potential link between non-medical ADHD medication use and disordered eating habits, highlighting the need for further research to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship. Abbreviations: ADHD-Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2025 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.