Parental Feeding Practices and Child-Related Factors are Associated with Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit atypical eating behaviors, increasing their risk for unhealthy weight gain and obesity.
• Obesity in children with ASD is a significant public health concern, necessitating identification of associated factors for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factors associated with body weight status (overweight and obesity) in children with autism spectrum disorder.
• To identify key demographic, parental, and behavioral factors linked to obesity in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 261 children diagnosed with ASD (ages 3-18 years) across nine autism intervention centers.
• Mothers completed self-administered questionnaires covering sociodemographic data, parenting styles, feeding practices, parental stress, sleep patterns, eating behaviors, and ASD severity.

Main Results:

• Older age, non-full term gestational age, and higher maternal perceived weight were significantly associated with increased likelihood of overweight/obesity.
• High maternal concern about the child's weight and low parental pressure to eat were also linked to higher rates of overweight and obesity.
• Specific eating behaviors and other factors like parenting stress and sleep habits require further investigation for their role in weight status.

Conclusions:

• Obesity is a critical issue for children with autism spectrum disorder, influenced by a combination of child and maternal factors.
• Interventions should focus on educating parents about healthy feeding practices and promoting a balanced perception of body weight.
• Future research should explore longitudinal data and intervention effectiveness for weight management in children with ASD.