Harvard Review of Psychiatry:
doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000031
Reviews
Curtin, Carol MSW; Jojic, Mirjana MD; Bandini, Linda G. PhD, RD
From the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center (Charlestown, MA) (Ms. Curtin and Dr. Bandini) and Department of Psychiatry (Worcester, MA) (Dr. Jojic), University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Original manuscript received 15 February 2013, accepted for publication subject to revision 23 April 2013; revised manuscript received 20 May 2013.
Correspondence: Carol Curtin, MSW, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolE.K. Shriver Center, 465 Medford St., Suite 500, Charlestown, MA 02129. Email: carol.curtin@umassmed.edu
Research suggests that the prevalence of obesity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is at least as high as that seen in typically developing children. Many of the risk factors for children with ASD are likely the same as for typically developing children, especially within the context of todays obesogenic environment. The particular needs and challenges that this population faces, however, may render them more susceptible to the adverse effects of typical risk factors, and they may also be vulnerable to additional risk factors not shared by children in the general population, including psychopharmacological treatment, genetics, disordered sleep, atypical eating patterns, and challenges for engaging in sufficient physical activity. For individuals with ASD, obesity and its sequelae potentially represent a significant threat to independent living, self-care, quality of life, and overall health.
Obesity in children has become a significant health concern, and the prevalence of childhood obesity has tripled over the last 20 years. Data from the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey indicate that nearly a third of children ages 219 years in the general population are overweight or obese.1 Evidence from clinic-based studies and nationally representative surveys suggests that the prevalence of obesity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is at least as high as that seen in typically developing (TD) children. While significant efforts are under way to understand and treat obesity in the general pediatric population, relatively little work has focused on children with ASD. In general, children who are obese are likely to remain so as adults, and excess weight substantially increases the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.2 Given the increasing prevalence of ASD, the prevention of secondary conditions associated with obesity in children in this population is a pressing public health issue, with implications for independent living and quality of life.
Research on the prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors in children with ASD remains limited. Many of the risk factors for children with ASD are likely the same as for TD children, especially within the context of todays obesogenic environment. The unique needs and challenges of this population, however, may render them more susceptible to typical risk factors for obesity, and they may also be vulnerable to additional risk factors not shared by children in the general population, including psychopharmacological treatment, genetics, disordered sleep, atypical eating patterns, and challenges for engaging in physical activity.
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Obesity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder ...