Korean J Psychosom Med.  2015 Dec;23(2):129-135. 10.0000/kjpm.2015.23.2.129.

Overweight & Obesity in Children & Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Retrospective Chart Review

• Im WY

• KMID: 2158474
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/kjpm.2015.23.2.129

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In children and adolescents, the prevalence of overweight has increased in the last 20 years. little research is available on the prevalence of obesity in children with autism spectrum disorders(ASD). The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of overweight among a clinical population of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders(ASD).
METHODS
Retrospective chart review of children ages 3-18 years seen between 2012 and 2015 at a Konyang University hospital psychiatric clinic. Diagnostic, medical, and demographic information was extracted from the charts. Body mass index(BMI) was calculated from measures of height and weight recorded in the child's chart. The Center for Disease Control's BMI growth reference was used to determine an age and gender-specific BMI z-score for the children.
RESULTS
In our study, children with ASD compared to non ASD group had significantly higher BMI percentiles (p=0.032). The prevalence of overweight(BMI≥85th to 95th percentiles) and obesity(BMI≥95th percentiles) was 35% and 19% respectively in children with ASD and without ASD.
CONCLUSION
Despite noted limitations, our data suggest that overweight and obesity in children with ASD are more prevalent than without ASD. Longitudinal and further study is needed to examine the factors associated with obesity in this population.

Keyword

Autism spectrum disorder(ASD), Overweight; Obesity, Body mass index(BMI)

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Autistic Disorder*
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive*
Child*
Humans
Obesity*
Overweight*
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies*