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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Nutrition, BMI and Motor Competence in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Ting Liu1, Julie Kelly2, Lyndsay Davis3
1Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA. tingliu@txstate.edu.
Insights
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have motor delays and poor nutrition knowledge, impacting their body mass index (BMI). Improving motor skills and nutrition knowledge may help manage BMI in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently exhibit motor skill deficits and suboptimal nutritional knowledge.
- Obesity and underweight are prevalent concerns in children with ASD, highlighting the need to understand contributing factors.
- Motor competence and nutrition knowledge are potential modifiable factors influencing weight status in children with ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interrelationships between motor competence, body mass index (BMI), and nutrition knowledge in children diagnosed with ASD.
- To identify specific motor skills and nutritional knowledge aspects associated with BMI in this population.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-one children with ASD (aged 7-12) were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) for motor skills.
- Nutrition knowledge was evaluated via a survey, and weight status was determined using BMI-for-age percentiles.
- Pearson correlation analyses were employed to examine associations between motor competence, nutrition knowledge, and BMI.
Main Results:
- A significant majority of children with ASD (82%) demonstrated motor delays according to MABC-2.
- A substantial proportion of participants were classified as overweight (17%), obese (20%), or underweight (12%).
- Positive correlations were observed between manual dexterity and balance skills with nutrition knowledge, while balance skills showed a negative correlation with BMI.
Conclusions:
- Motor competence and nutrition knowledge are significant factors associated with BMI in children with ASD.
- Interventions targeting both motor skill development and nutrition education are crucial for managing BMI in children with ASD.
- Addressing the energy balance equation through comprehensive strategies is recommended for this population.
Abstract:
Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between motor competence, body mass index (BMI), and nutrition knowledge in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Materials and Methods: Fifty-one children with ASD (five females and 46 males) aged 7-12 participated in the study. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) was used to examine children's fine and gross motor skill competence; the nutrition knowledge survey assessed children's overall knowledge of food groups and healthful eating; and BMI-for-age determined their weight status. Descriptive analysis and Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between nutrition knowledge, BMI, and motor competence in children with ASD. Results: The majority of children with ASD (82%) showed significant motor delays in MABC-2 assessments. The BMI-for-age percentile data suggested that 20% of participants were obese, 17% were overweight, and 12% were underweight. The nutrition knowledge data indicated that 55% of children scored below 70% on accuracy in the nutrition knowledge survey. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between MABC-2 manual dexterity and nutrition knowledge (r = 0.327, p < 0.01), and between MABC-2 balance skills and nutrition knowledge (r = 0.413, p < 0.01). A significant negative relationship was also found between BMI and MABC-2 balance skills (r = -0.325, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The findings of the study suggest that nutrition knowledge and motor competence may be key factors influencing BMI in children with ASD and therefore interventions tackling both sides of the energy balance equation are necessary.
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