Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40383835›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Association between ADHD symptoms, physical effort discounting, and unhealthy lifestyles in adults.

Javier Bernacer, Leyre Gambra, Diana Rodriguez-Romero, Maria Emilia Carbonell, Sara Magallon, Gonzalo Arrondo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. ADHD and metabolic syndrome: behavioral and weight-related pathways to cardiovascular risk.European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience · 2026
    Article
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Javier BernacerMind-Brain Group, Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), University of Navarra, Edificio Biblioteca Central, Campus Universitario s/n, 31006, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
Leyre GambraFaculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Diana Rodriguez-RomeroFaculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Maria Emilia CarbonellUniversidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador.
Sara MagallonFaculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Gonzalo ArrondoMind-Brain Group, Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), University of Navarra, Edificio Biblioteca Central, Campus Universitario s/n, 31006, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain. garrondo@unav.es.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by difficulties with attention, increased activity levels, and impulsive behaviour, which can impact social, academic, and work-related performance. Its presence in adults is often overlooked and inadequately addressed. Emerging research suggests a link between ADHD and unhealthy lifestyles, including sedentary behaviour, substance use, and effort discounting, a decision-making process where individuals undervalue rewards requiring significant physical or cognitive effort. This study investigates the association between ADHD symptoms, physical effort discounting, and indicators of unhealthy lifestyles in young adults. We recruited 181 participants aged 18-33 years. They completed the Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT) and a hypothetical effort-discounting task, alongside questionnaires assessing ADHD and developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) symptoms, physical activity, alcohol, tobacco and drug use. A logistic mixed model was used to analyze effort-discounting decisions, while regression analyses assessed the influence of ADHD symptoms and effort discounting on unhealthy lifestyle indicators. EEfRT decisions were significantly influenced by reward probability, monetary value, and ADHD medication status, whereas choices in the hypothetical effort-discounting task were influenced by money, effort and ADHD symptoms. When exploring the association between all variables, ADHD symptoms were positively correlated with effort discounting in the hypothetical task, smoking, and DCD. Effort discounting was associated with a sedentary lifestyle while smoking correlated with higher BMI and alcohol consumption. Linear and logistic regressions suggested that ADHD symptoms and effort discounting were associated with a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking status was significantly explained by ADHD symptoms. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing both ADHD symptomatology and lifestyle factors to improve outcomes in affected individuals.

Indexed as

Attention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityLife StyleAdolescentAdultDecision MakingExerciseFemaleHumansImpulsive BehaviorMaleRewardSedentary BehaviorSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultAttentionDecision-makingEEfRTHyperactivitySedentaryTobacco

Identifiers

PMID40383835
PMCPMC12086222

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.