PubMed · 10431115
Stimulant medications decrease energy expenditure and physical activity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of stimulant medications used to treat children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) on energy expenditure, fuel utilization, and physical activity. STUDY DESIGN: Energy expenditure and physical activity were measured, respectively, by room respiration calorimetry and microwave motion detectors in 31 children with AD/HD (26 boys and 5 girls; ages 6 to 12 years) both while they were receiving their prescribed stimulant medication and after the medication had been discontinued for at least 24 hours. Fuel utilization was calculated from calorimetry data. RESULTS: Total and awake energy expenditure including energy expended while doing schoolwork, riding a stationary bicycle, resting, and watching a movie were from 4% to 8% lower when the children were receiving their prescribed stimulant medication. Total and awake activity were also lower while they were receiving medication (16% to 22%) and accounted for the lower rates of energy expenditure. Sleeping metabolic rate, basal metabolic rate, and fuel utilization were unaffected by medication. CONCLUSIONS: Stimulant medications decrease physical activity, and hence, decrease the activity component of total daily energy expenditure in children with AD/HD.
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N F Butte, M S Treuth, R G Voigt, A M Llorente, W C Heird. 1999. Stimulant medications decrease energy expenditure and physical activity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3476(99)70023-5
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