title: Effects of methylphenidate on body index and physical fitness in Korean children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The side effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on growth remain a controversial concern. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MPH on clinical symptoms, growth, and physical fitness in Korean children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty male children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated with methylphenidate (MPH-ADHD), 69 MPH-naïve male children with ADHD (Naïve-ADHD), and 60 age-matched and sex-matched healthy control subjects were recruited. Intelligence quotient (IQ), clinical symptoms of ADHD, body index (height, weight, and body mass index [BMI]), and physical fitness (muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, agility, speed, and balance) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total IQ and performance IQ scores were significantly different among the three groups, as were mean Korean Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (K-ARS)-total, K-ARS-inattention, and K-ARS-hyperactivity scores. There was no significant difference in height, weight, or BMI among the three groups. There were significant differences in skill-related fitness scores for balance (healthy controls > MPH-ADHD > Naïve-ADHD) and agility shuttle test time (healthy controls < MPH-ADHD < Naïve-ADHD).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the effectiveness of MPH treatment for improving IQ, attention, and balance and agility measures of skill-related fitness in Korean children with ADHD. MPH was not associated with growth delays in height, weight, and BMI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation, Chung Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Doo
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Chung Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sin Weon
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kyoungpook University Hospital, Kyoungpook, Korea.
authors.forename: Unsun
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Konkuk University Hospital, Chungju, Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Ho
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Ha
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Eoram Middle School, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: In Hui
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Doug Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000187:drug effects; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D011581:Psychological Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate
keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; body index; methylphenidate; physical fitness