Dual Effects of ADHD Pharmacotherapy on Nutrition: A Scoping Review of Appetite, Eating Behavior, and Growth Across the Lifespan

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with alterations in eating behavior, dietary patterns, and body weight regulation. Although pharmacological treatment is known to suppress appetite, its broader effects on nutrition-related outcomes remain unclear. This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on dietary intake, eating behavior, nutritional status, growth, and bone health in individuals with ADHD receiving pharmacotherapy. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed and Scopus were searched from January 2010 to June 2026. Studies were eligible if they reported at least one nutrition-related outcome in medicated individuals with ADHD. Following study selection and data charting, the reported outcomes were grouped into four domains: dietary intake/eating behavior, nutritional status/metabolic biomarkers, growth/anthropometric outcomes, and bone health. Results: Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, the majority of which were observational and conducted in pediatric or mixed-age populations. Growth and anthropometric outcomes were the most frequently investigated domain. Stimulant treatment was associated with reduced appetite; lower energy intake during active treatment periods; and transient reductions in body weight, BMI, and growth velocity. Several studies also reported changes in eating behavior, including both increased risk of disordered eating and improvements in dietary structure. Evidence regarding nutritional biomarkers, metabolic outcomes, and bone health was limited and heterogeneous. Conclusions: ADHD pharmacotherapy is associated with a broad range of nutrition-related effects that extend beyond appetite suppression alone. The available evidence suggests that nutritional outcomes are shaped by a complex interaction of biological and behavioral mechanisms. Important evidence gaps remain regarding adult populations, long-term nutritional consequences, and nutritional biomarkers.