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Overweight and obese status in children with autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behavior

Kristen K Criado1,2, William G Sharp1,2, Courtney E McCracken1

  • 11 Emory University, USA.

Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice
|March 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disruptive behaviors face a higher risk of obesity. This study found significantly higher rates of overweight and obesity in these children compared to controls, highlighting a need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Overweight and obesity are prevalent issues in children.
  • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disruptive behaviors may be at increased risk.
  • Understanding weight status in this specific pediatric population is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children with ASD and disruptive behaviors.
  • To compare the rates of overweight and obesity in children with ASD to matched control groups.
  • To identify factors associated with obesity within the ASD population.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized baseline data from medication-free children with ASD (N=276) from the Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network.
  • Compared ASD group data with 544 control children from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database.
  • Matched controls based on age, sex, race, parent education, and era of data collection.

Main Results:

  • Children with ASD exhibited significantly higher prevalence rates of overweight (42.4%) and obesity (21.4%) compared to controls (26.1% overweight, 12.0% obesity; p < 0.001).
  • Obesity within the ASD sample was associated with minority status and lower daily living skills.
  • The mean age of children with ASD was 7.9 ± 2.6 years, with 84.4% being male.

Conclusions:

  • Children with autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behaviors are at a significantly increased risk for overweight and obesity.
  • These findings emphasize the critical need for developing and implementing effective weight management strategies for this vulnerable pediatric group.
  • Further research into the specific factors contributing to obesity in children with ASD is warranted.

Keywords:
National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveysprevalencerisperidone

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