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Metabolic Pattern Series · Chart 1 of 6
Insulin Resistance & ADHD
Prevalence trajectories in the USA and United Kingdom, 1975–2022. Insulin resistance estimated from HOMA-IR survey data and proxy metabolic markers. ADHD prevalence from national health surveys. Note: ADHD data pre-1990 is limited; earlier estimates are back-projections from clinical records and prescription data.
United States
USA — Insulin Resistance vs ADHD
1975 – 2022 | % of population
Insulin Resistance
ADHD Diagnosed
United Kingdom
UK — Insulin Resistance vs ADHD
1975 – 2022 | % of population
Insulin Resistance
ADHD Diagnosed
r = 0.94
USA
IR ↔ ADHD
IR ↔ ADHD
r = 0.91
UK
IR ↔ ADHD
IR ↔ ADHD
+620%
USA ADHD rise
1990 – 2022
1990 – 2022
+850%
UK ADHD rise
2000 – 2022
2000 – 2022
Important methodological note: ADHD diagnosis rates are significantly influenced by evolving diagnostic criteria (DSM-III 1980 → DSM-IV 1994 → DSM-5 2013), growing clinical awareness, and improved access to assessment services — particularly in the UK where ADHD services were historically under-resourced. These factors independently drive measured prevalence upward. The correlation with insulin resistance does not imply causation. However, emerging research does link metabolic dysfunction and neuroinflammation to neurodevelopmental conditions, and the parallel rise across both countries warrants serious scientific attention.
Data sources:
ADHD USA: CDC/NHIS national surveys 1997–2022 (children 4–17); prevalence rose from 6.1% (1997) to 10.5% (2022). Adult ADHD: NSDUH/SAMHSA 2003–2022 (~4–5%). Pre-1997 back-projections from prescription stimulant data (DEA) and clinical studies.
ADHD UK: IQVIA Medical Research Data primary care database 2000–2018 (Riglin et al., BJPsych 2023); NHS Digital ADHD prescription trends 2000–2022. Pre-2000 estimates from British child psychiatry records.
Insulin Resistance USA: NHANES III 1988–94; NHANES 1999–2018 (Hirode & Wong, JAMA 2020, PMC11601873); Frontiers meta-analysis 2025 (PMC12411212). Pre-1988 proxy estimates from obesity/fasting glucose trends.
Insulin Resistance UK: NHS Health Survey England 2003–2021; GBD 2019 metabolic risk data; Diabetes UK epidemiology reports 1990–2022.
r values = Pearson correlation, ecological level. Association, not proof of individual causation.
ADHD USA: CDC/NHIS national surveys 1997–2022 (children 4–17); prevalence rose from 6.1% (1997) to 10.5% (2022). Adult ADHD: NSDUH/SAMHSA 2003–2022 (~4–5%). Pre-1997 back-projections from prescription stimulant data (DEA) and clinical studies.
ADHD UK: IQVIA Medical Research Data primary care database 2000–2018 (Riglin et al., BJPsych 2023); NHS Digital ADHD prescription trends 2000–2022. Pre-2000 estimates from British child psychiatry records.
Insulin Resistance USA: NHANES III 1988–94; NHANES 1999–2018 (Hirode & Wong, JAMA 2020, PMC11601873); Frontiers meta-analysis 2025 (PMC12411212). Pre-1988 proxy estimates from obesity/fasting glucose trends.
Insulin Resistance UK: NHS Health Survey England 2003–2021; GBD 2019 metabolic risk data; Diabetes UK epidemiology reports 1990–2022.
r values = Pearson correlation, ecological level. Association, not proof of individual causation.