Do executive function struggles (meal planning, grocery shopping) contribute to weight gain in ADHD independent of appetite?

Yes, this is a commonly cited contributing factor separate from appetite regulation. Difficulty with planning ahead, grocery shopping consistently, meal prepping, and maintaining routine eating schedules can lead to reliance on convenient, often less nutritionally balanced options, skipped meals followed by overeating later, or inconsistent eating patterns generally. It's considered part of why ADHD's connection to weight isn't just about hunger signals but about the practical logistics of eating well requiring executive function that can be genuinely harder to sustain. References: https://obesitycanada.ca/healthcare-professionals/adult-clinical-practice-guideline/