Introduction / Rationale: Adults with ADHD differ from individuals without ADHD in their eating behaviors and meal planning and preparation skills and have unhealthy eating patterns. The unhealthy lifestyles have been shown to be associated with poor executive functions (EF). An active participation in these daily occupations supports health, well-being, and social engagement. Thus, it is important to explore the eating behaviors and meal planning and preparation skills of adults with ADHD and their associations with EF.
Objectives: (1) Examine the differences in self-reported eating behaviors and meal planning and preparation skills between adults with and without ADHD; (2) Explore the relationships between EF, eating behaviors, and perceived meal planning and preparation skills in adults with ADHD.
Methods / Approach: Cross-sectional quantitative study using an online anonymous survey with 50 participants per group. Ethics approval was obtained from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The survey includes a demographic questionnaire, questionnaires on EF, eating behaviors and perceived meal planning and preparation skills. T-tests and MANOVA will examine group differences, and Pearson/Spearman tests will assess associations between variables.
Results / Practice Implications: Data collection is currently underway, and full findings will be presented at the conference.
Conclusion / Significance to the Occupational Therapy Profession: It is important to obtain a deeper insight into food choices, eating behaviors and meal planning and preparation practices and barriers of adults with ADHD. A better understanding may lead to practical implications for efficient interventions that provide support for an improved lifestyle, occupational performance, and quality of life.