Environmental Factors Associated with Physical Activity and Screen Time Among Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Both genetic and epidemiological studies have indicated that environmental factors play an essential role in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We conducted this study to identify maternal exposure to environmental factors, in particular during the fetal development or perinatal period, associated with ASD. Methods: Two independent samples of children with ASD and typical developed (TD) were from distinct regions in China. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with ASD in each sample and then in the combined sample. Results: Five factors were consistently associated with ASD in both samples. In the combined sample, maternal chemical exposure (odds ratio [OR] =4.50; 95% CI: 2.38-8.52), use of medication (OR = 3.19; 95% CI: 2.19-4.65), maternal infection (OR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.99-3.61), threatened abortion (OR = 2.37; 95% CI: 1.61-3.50), and induced abortion before having the child (OR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.65-2.60) showed strong associations with ASD; moreover, five factors explained 10-15% of the variation in the risk of ASD. A significant interaction between maternal infection and the use of medication during pregnancy was consistently detected in both independent and combined samples together. Conclusion: Two novel risk factors of maternal chemical exposure and induced abortion may have important implications for understanding the etiology of ASD, particularly in China. Prospective studies are needed to validate these findings, and necessary interventions are recommended to reduce the risk of ASD. KEYWORDS Autism spectrum disorder, chemical exposure, induced abortion, maternal infection

Download Full-text

Physical activity and screen time among youth with autism: A longitudinal analysis from 9 to 18 years

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361320981314 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132098131

Author(s):

J Dahlgren ◽

S Healy ◽

M MacDonald ◽

J Geldhof ◽

K Palmiere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Video Game ◽

Screen Time ◽

Robust Regression ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Over Time

To date, studies using cross-sectional methodologies make up a majority of the literature surrounding children with autism spectrum disorders and participation in physical activity and screen time. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine how physical activity and screen time behaviors co-develop for children with and without an autism spectrum disorder. To address this research gap, this study compared how physical activity and screen time levels changed over time (9 to 18 years of age) between youth with autism spectrum disorder and youth with neurotypical development. Data on the levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, television-, and video game-based screen time, collected as a part of the “Growing up in Ireland” study, were compared between youth with autism spectrum disorder and a propensity-matched sample of youth with neurotypical development ( n = 88 per group; 176 in total). Robust regression analyses indicated that children with autism spectrum disorder became less active over time compared to children with neurotypical development and that video game screen time also differed significantly between the groups when children were 9 years old. These findings elucidate important disparities present between these groups of children during pivotal developmental times. Lay abstract To date, studies using cross-sectional methodologies make up a majority of the literature surrounding children with autism spectrum disorders and participation in physical activity and screen time. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine how physical activity and screen time behaviors co-develop for children with and without an autism spectrum disorder. To address this research gap, this study compared how physical activity and screen time levels changed over time (from 9 to 18 years of age) between youth with autism spectrum disorder and youth with neurotypical development. Data on the levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, television-, and video game-based screen time, collected as a part of the “Growing up in Ireland” study, were compared between youth with autism spectrum disorder and a propensity-matched sample of youth with neurotypical development ( n = 88 per group; 176 in total). Robust regression analyses indicated that children with autism spectrum disorder became less active over time compared to children with neurotypical development and that video game screen time also differed significantly between the groups when children were 9 years old. These findings elucidate important disparities present between these groups of children during pivotal developmental times.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity, Screen-Time Behavior, and Obesity Among 13-Year Olds in Ireland with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders ◽

10.1007/s10803-016-2920-4 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 49-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Sean Healy ◽

Justin A. Haegele ◽

Michelle Grenier ◽

Jeanette M. Garcia

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Screen Time ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Time Behavior

Download Full-text

Aging With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploration of Physical Activity Engagement

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1288 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 400-401

Author(s):

Danielle Waldron ◽

Beth Dugan ◽

Jeffrey Stokes ◽

Caitlin Coyle ◽

John Kramer

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

General Population ◽

Community Engagement ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Community Group ◽

Factors Associated

Abstract Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) participate in physical activity (PA) infrequently compared to adults in the general population. This is problematic as individuals with ASD suffer from disproportionate physical and mental health co-morbidities as well as diminished life expectancy, but do not reap the physical and mental health benefits of PA. This study used data from the National Core Indicators-In Person Consumer Survey (n=4,370; age: 18-78) to analyze factors associated with both aerobic PA and muscle strengthening (MS) activity in adults with ASD receiving state Developmental Disability Services. This research used multilevel logistic regression modeling, with mediation and moderation analyses to explore personal and environmental factors associated with PA/MS in this population. Findings indicated the following significant associations between community engagement and PA and MS: community contact (OR=1.17; p<0.001; OR=1.07; p<0.001), community group participation (OR=1.83; p<0.001; OR=1.91; p<0.001), and employment/day program participation (OR=1.32; p<0.05; OR=1.32; p<0.001). Additionally, at older ages, participants were less likely to engage in PA and MS three or more times a week (OR=0.99; p<0.05; OR=0.99; p<0.05). These findings indicate that increasing age is associated with decreased PA and MS activity in this group, while community engagement may facilitate their PA and MS activity. While much remains unknown about the population aging with ASD, it is evident that they suffer from poorer health than the general population and have experienced lifelong difficulties with socialization and communication. Greater access to community engagement opportunities may promote this population’s healthy aging, as well as support their unique social needs.

Download Full-text

Environmental factors associated with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review for the years 2003–2013

Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada ◽

10.24095/hpcdp.37.1.01 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 1-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Michelle Ng ◽

Joanne de Montigny ◽

Marianna Ofner ◽

Minh Do

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Social Factors ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Physiological Factors ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Chemical Factors

Introduction The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been rapidly rising in the past decade. The etiology of this disorder, however, is largely unknown, although the environmental relative to the genetic contribution is substantial. We conducted a scoping review to comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the environmental factors present from preconception to early life associated with ASD, and to identify research gaps. Methods We searched electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO and ERIC for articles on potential risk factors or protective factors from the physical and social environments associated with ASD and its subclassifications published between 1 January, 2003, and 12 July, 2013. We categorized articles into broad themes: chemical, physiological, nutritional and social factors, based on environmental exposure. Results We identified over 50 000 publications, but after ineligible studies were screened out, 315 articles remained. Most of these studies examined physiological factors, followed closely by chemical factors, and to a much lesser extent, nutritional and social factors, associated with ASD. Despite a vast literature and many heterogeneous studies, several risk factors emerged consistently: chemical factors such as traffic-related air pollutants; physiological factors including advanced parental age, preterm birth, low birth weight, hyperbilirubinemia and clustering of pregnancy complications; and maternal immigrant status. Despite extensive research on vaccines, findings overwhelmingly demonstrate no support for an association with ASD. Conclusion The lack of consistency, temporality and specificity of associations between environmental factors and ASD remains the largest barrier to establishing causal relationships. More robust research is required to resolve inconsistencies in the literature. Future research should explore underlying mechanisms of associations between the risk factors that we identified and ASD.

Download Full-text

Possibility that the Onset of Autism Spectrum Disorder is Induced by Failure of the Glutamine-Glutamate Cycle

Current Molecular Pharmacology ◽

10.2174/1874467213666200319125109 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 170-174

Author(s):

Koichi Kawada ◽

Nobuyuki Kuramoto ◽

Seisuke Mimori

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ◽

Synapse Formation ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disease ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

The Brain

: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease, and the number of patients has increased rapidly in recent years. The causes of ASD involve both genetic and environmental factors, but the details of causation have not yet been fully elucidated. Many reports have investigated genetic factors related to synapse formation, and alcohol and tobacco have been reported as environmental factors. This review focuses on endoplasmic reticulum stress and amino acid cycle abnormalities (particularly glutamine and glutamate) induced by many environmental factors. In the ASD model, since endoplasmic reticulum stress is high in the brain from before birth, it is clear that endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in the development of ASD. On the other hand, one report states that excessive excitation of neurons is caused by the onset of ASD. The glutamine-glutamate cycle is performed between neurons and glial cells and controls the concentration of glutamate and GABA in the brain. These neurotransmitters are also known to control synapse formation and are important in constructing neural circuits. Theanine is a derivative of glutamine and a natural component of green tea. Theanine inhibits glutamine uptake in the glutamine-glutamate cycle via slc38a1 without affecting glutamate; therefore, we believe that theanine may prevent the onset of ASD by changing the balance of glutamine and glutamate in the brain.

Download Full-text