Abstract
ObjectiveTo assess the frequency of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their parents, in comparison with children and adolescents without developmental disorders. MethodsAnthropometric measures were obtained in 69 outpatients with ASD (8.4±4.2 years old), 23 with ADHD (8.5±2.4) and 19 controls without developmental disorders (8.6±2.9) between August and November 2014. Parents of patients with ASD and ADHD also had their anthropometric parameters taken. Overweight was defined as a percentile ≥85; obesity as a percentile ≥95; and underweight as a percentile ≤5. For adults, overweight was defined as a BMI between 25 and 30kg/m2 and obesity as a BMI higher than 30kg/m2. ResultsChildren and adolescents with ASD and ADHD had higher BMI percentile (p<0.01) and z-score (p<0.01) than controls, and increased frequency of overweight and obesity (p=0.04). Patients with ASD and ADHD did not differ between them in these variables, nor regarding abdominal circumference. Parents of children with ASD and ADHD did not differ between themselves. ConclusionsChildren and adolescents with ASD and ADHD are at a higher risk of overweight and obesity than children without developmental problems in the community.
Highlights
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in developed countries is alarming and reaches 31.8% of children and adolescents.[1]
Children and adolescents seen in the outpatient clinics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (n=69) and Attention Deficit (n=23) of the Psychiatry Service of the Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil, and their parents were invited to participate in this study
There was no significant difference between patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ASD in any of the comparisons (Table 1)
Summary
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in developed countries is alarming and reaches 31.8% of children and adolescents.[1] In the US, despite continued efforts to reduce these public health problems, rates have been stable in the last decade.[1] In Brazil, epidemiological studies have shown an increased frequency of overweight and obesity in this age group.[2,3] Comparison of the 1989 National Survey on Health and Nutrition (PNSN) and the 2008---2009 Consumer Expenditure Survey shows that overweight frequency in children between five and nine years old increased from about 9---33%.3. International studies have found an association between overweight/obesity and psychiatric disorders in children, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Whether this association is characteristic of ASD and ADHD or common to behavioral and developmental problems in general remains unclear. The association is likely to be bidirectional; that is, behavioral problems may lead to obesity, but obesity may be a risk factor for the development of behavioral and developmental problems.[4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
