Mediators in the Relationship Between Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Disordered Eating Symptoms: A Scoping Review

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with disordered eating habits, and individuals with eating disorders show more ADHD symptoms. Little is known about the underlying mechanism of this association. In this scoping review, we aim to provide an overview of researched mediators in adults and discuss implications for future research. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist. A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Ovid, and PubPsych. We included studies written in English or German and conducted on adults (18+ years). Of the 884 search results, 22 studies were included. N = 11 studies examined hyperactivity/impulsivity as a mediator, n = 8 inattention, n = 5 emotion dysregulation/emotional eating, n = 7 depression, negative mood, and/or anxiety, n = 6 general genetics and genetics in dopamine signaling pathways, n = 3 attractiveness of food, n = 4 interoceptive awareness/sensitivity, n = 2 general psychopathological symptoms and personality factors, and n = 1 circadian rhythm disruption. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are cross‐sectionally well‐researched mediators but do not seem to mediate either a total or a causal relationship. Emotion dysregulation as well as the role of the dopaminergic reward system, including addictive‐like behavior, seem to be involved as mediators and should receive more attention. Future research should not only focus on investigating one mediator while controlling for comorbidities and confounding factors but should also include prospective longitudinal study designs.