Prevalence of overweight/obesity in children with autism spectrum disorder and its correlation with emotional and behavioral problems

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity in children aged 3 - 6 years with autism spectrum disorder (ASD),and to explore the correlation between overweight/obesity and emotional-behavioral problems, in order to provide a reference for developing comprehensive intervention strategies for ASD children. Methods From December 2022 to December 2023, 241 ASD children aged 3 - 6 years receiving rehabilitation training at designated rehabilitation institutions in Nantong City were enrolled as study subjects. Physical measurements and evaluations were conducted, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess emotional-behavioral problems. The correlation between overweight/obesity and emotional-behavioral problems was analyzed. Results Among the 241 ASD children, 88 (36.51%) were overweight or obese, including 32 (13.28%) overweight and 56 (23.24%) obese cases. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of overweight/obesity between genders (χ²=0.348, P>0.05). The abnormal rates of SDQ emotional symptoms and total difficulties score in the overweight/obese group were 11.36% and 82.95%, respectively, significantly higher than those in the normal-weight group (4.58% and 70.59%) (χ²=3.927, 4.569, P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BMI in ASD children was positively correlated with emotional symptoms and total difficulties score (P<0.01), and age was positively correlated with the total difficulties score (P<0.01). Conclusions Overweight/obesity is prevalent among ASD children and is positively correlated with emotional-behavioral problems. This highlights the need for relevant departments and parents of ASD children to emphasize scientific feeding practices, regularly monitor physical growth and emotional-behavioral issues, especially in older children, and advocate for early comprehensive interventions to actively improve prognosis.

Keywords

autism spectrum disorder / overweight / obesity / emotional and behavioral problems