BriefTrends: Association between Strength Training and ADHD in U.S. Children – NHIS, 2020

Peter D. Hart

doi:10.12691/jpar-8-1-3

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BriefTrends: Association between Strength Training and ADHD in U.S. Children – NHIS, 2020

Peter D. Hart

Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2023, 8(1), 14-15. DOI: 10.12691/jpar-8-1-3

Received February 10, 2023; Revised March 13, 2023; Accepted March 24, 2023

Abstract

This BriefTrends describes the prevalence of no strength training and its association with ADHD in U.S. children participating in the 2020 NHIS.

Keywords: strength training ADHD NHIS physical education physical activity

1. Purpose

To estimate the prevalence of strength training risk and examine its relationship with ADHD in U.S. children.

2. Data Source

The 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

3. Population

Noninstitutionalized U.S. children 6 to 17 years of age.

4. Variables

1) Strength training exercise status (at least some or none), 2) Current attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Has ADHD or No ADHD), 3) Sex (boy or girl), and 4) Control variables: age, sex, race, and income.

5. Analysis

Prevalence (%) estimates of no strength training exercise, standard errors for prevalence estimates, Rao-Scott chi-square test statistic (χ²_RS) for difference in prevalence estimates, odds ratios (ORs) representing the strength training and ADHD association with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ORs. SAS Survey Procedures were used, version 9.4.

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Figure 1. Prevalence of no strength training reported by U.S. children (6 to 17 years of age), overall and by ADHD status and sex, NHIS 2020. Note. N represents respective overall sample size. Prevalence estimates (%) are weighted. Estimates are for those reporting "never" to a question asking how often the child typically exercises to strengthen or tone their muscles, with activities like sit-ups, push-ups, or weight lifting. Error bars represent standard errors for the prevalence estimates. Odds ratio (OR) represents the odds of no strength training (versus at least some) for those with ADHD compared to those with no ADHD. Bold ORs are significant (p < .05). ^aOR (95% CI) adjusted for age, sex, race, and income. ^bOR (95% CI) adjusted for age, race, and income.

6. Findings

The overall prevalence of no strength training exercise among 6- to 17-year-old children was 32.4% (95% CI: 30.3 to 34.5), with no significant sex difference (p = .395). Overall, those with ADHD were more likely to report no strength training as compared to their counterparts (38.5% vs. 31.7%, p = .024), with 38% greater odds (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.83). Among boys, those with ADHD were also more likely to report no strength training (38.8% vs. 30.4%, p = .025), with 45% greater odds (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.09). Although trending in a similar direction, the greater prevalence of no strength training among girls with ADHD was not significant as compared to their counterparts (38.1% vs. 33.0%, p = .323).

References

[1]	National Center for Health Statistics. Survey Description, National Health Interview Survey, 2020. Hyattsville, Maryland. 2021.
	In article

[2]	National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey, 2020. Public-use data file and documentation. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/data-questionnaires-documentation.htm. 2021.
	In article

[3]	SAS Institute Inc. 2015. SAS/STAT® 14.1 User’s Guide. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.
	In article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cite this article:

Normal Style

Peter D. Hart. BriefTrends: Association between Strength Training and ADHD in U.S. Children – NHIS, 2020. Journal of Physical Activity Research. Vol. 8, No. 1, 2023, pp 14-15. https://pubs.sciepub.com/jpar/8/1/3

MLA Style

Hart, Peter D.. "BriefTrends: Association between Strength Training and ADHD in U.S. Children – NHIS, 2020." Journal of Physical Activity Research 8.1 (2023): 14-15.

APA Style

Hart, P. D. (2023). BriefTrends: Association between Strength Training and ADHD in U.S. Children – NHIS, 2020. Journal of Physical Activity Research, 8(1), 14-15.

Chicago Style

Hart, Peter D.. "BriefTrends: Association between Strength Training and ADHD in U.S. Children – NHIS, 2020." Journal of Physical Activity Research 8, no. 1 (2023): 14-15.

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Figure 1. Prevalence of no strength training reported by U.S. children (6 to 17 years of age), overall and by ADHD status and sex, NHIS 2020. Note. N represents respective overall sample size. Prevalence estimates (%) are weighted. Estimates are for those reporting "never" to a question asking how often the child typically exercises to strengthen or tone their muscles, with activities like sit-ups, push-ups, or weight lifting. Error bars represent standard errors for the prevalence estimates. Odds ratio (OR) represents the odds of no strength training (versus at least some) for those with ADHD compared to those with no ADHD. Bold ORs are significant (p < .05). ^aOR (95% CI) adjusted for age, sex, race, and income. ^bOR (95% CI) adjusted for age, race, and income.
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[1]	National Center for Health Statistics. Survey Description, National Health Interview Survey, 2020. Hyattsville, Maryland. 2021.
	In article

[2]	National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey, 2020. Public-use data file and documentation. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/data-questionnaires-documentation.htm. 2021.
	In article

[3]	SAS Institute Inc. 2015. SAS/STAT® 14.1 User’s Guide. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.
	In article