Investigation of Obesity, Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors of Individuals with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder during the Covid-19 Pandemic Process

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be at higher risk compared to their typically developing peers. In this study, it was aimed to compare individuals with and without autism spectrum disorder affected by the Covid-19 pandemic process with their peers in terms of obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Methods: 64 individuals with ASD and 78 healthy individuals were included in the study. An online questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data, BMI, physical activity and sedentary behavior habits was applied to the participants. Results: Adolescents with autism spectrum disorders were found to be less physically active and more likely to be overweight and obese compared to their typically developing peers (0.001***). BMI (kg/m2) increased compared to before Covid-19. Sedentary behavior increased during quarantine (0.001***). Participation in physical activity decreased in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. As a result: shows the need for targeted programs to reduce unhealthy weight status and support physical activity opportunities for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, COVID-19, Obesity, physical activity, Sedentary Behaviors

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Obesity, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder compared with typically developing peers

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361319861579 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 387-399 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Stephanie M McCoy ◽

Kristen Morgan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Health Concern ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Adolescents With Autism ◽

Unhealthy Weight

Decreased engagement in beneficial physical activity and increased levels of sedentary behavior and unhealthy weight are a continued public health concern in adolescents. Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder may be at an increased risk compared with their typically developing peers. Weekly physical activity, sedentary behavior, and body mass index classification were compared among adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder. Analyses included 33,865 adolescents (autism spectrum disorder, n = 1036) from the 2016–2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (United States). After adjustment for covariates, adolescents with autism spectrum disorder were found to engage in less physical activity and were more likely to be overweight and obese compared with their typically developing peers ( p’s < 0.05). As parent-reported autism spectrum disorder severity increased, the adjusted odds of being overweight and obese significantly increased and physical activity participation decreased ( p-for-trends < 0.001). The findings suggest there is a need for targeted programs to decrease unhealthy weight status and support physical activity opportunities for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder across the severity spectrum.

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The levels of physical activity and motor skills in young children with and without autism spectrum disorder, aged 2–5 years

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361316683889 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 414-423 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Leah Ketcheson ◽

Janet Lynn Hauck ◽

Dale Ulrich

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Young Children ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Motor Skills ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Typically Developing

Autism spectrum disorder is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. As such, there is an unprecedented need for research examining factors contributing to the health disparities in this population. This research suggests a relationship between the levels of physical activity and health outcomes. In fact, excessive sedentary behavior during early childhood is associated with a number of negative health outcomes. A total of 53 children participated in this study, including typically developing children (mean age = 42.5 ± 10.78 months, n = 19) and children with autism spectrum disorder (mean age = 47.42 ± 12.81 months, n = 34). The t-test results reveal that children with autism spectrum disorder spent significantly less time per day in sedentary behavior when compared to the typically developing group ( t(52) = 4.57, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the results from the general linear model reveal that there is no relationship between motor skills and the levels of physical activity. The ongoing need for objective measurement of physical activity in young children with autism spectrum disorder is of critical importance as it may shed light on an often overlooked need for early community-based interventions to increase physical activity early on in development.

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Enjoyment, Barriers, and Beliefs About Physical Activity in Adolescents With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly ◽

10.1123/apaq.2015-0038 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 302-317 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Heidi Stanish ◽

Carol Curtin ◽

Aviva Must ◽

Sarah Phillips ◽

Melissa Maslin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Team Sports ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Adolescents With Autism ◽

Activity Enjoyment ◽

Adolescents With Asd

The authors compared physical activity enjoyment, perceived barriers, beliefs, and self-efficacy between adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) adolescents. A questionnaire was verbally administered to 35 adolescents with ASD and 60 TD adolescents. Compared with TD adolescents, fewer adolescents with ASD enjoyed team sports (65% vs. 95%, p < .001) and physical education (84% vs. 98%, p = .02). A greater proportion of adolescents with ASD perceived that physical activities were too hard to learn (16% vs. 0%, p < .01), and fewer believed that physical activity was a way to make friends (68% vs. 97%, p < .001). Fewer adolescents with ASD preferred to do physical activity in their free time (25% vs. 58%, p < .01). Most adolescents with ASD felt that physical activity is fun (84%), but the proportion was lower than in TD adolescents (98%, p = .03). Some perceptions about physical activity were similar between the 2 groups, but differences identified may inform program development.

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Obesity, Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior In Youth With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000479232.74031.c4 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 922

Author(s):

Stephanie M. McCoy ◽

Bethany Barone Gibbs ◽

John M. Jakicic

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder

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Erratum: Stanish et al. (2015)

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly ◽

10.1123/apaq.2018-0087 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 326

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Link Type ◽

Activity Enjoyment

In the article Stanish, H., Curtin, C., Must, A., Phillips, S., Maslin, M., and Bandini, L. (2015). Enjoyment, barriers, and beliefs about physical activity in adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 32(4), 302-317. doi:10.1123/APAQ.2015-0038, the authors omitted acknowledgment that the study was an extension of a larger (parent) study that compared physical activity levels and correlates among adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) and typically developing (TD) adolescents. Some of the methods for the study published in this journal are identical to those in the parent study, and the same comparison group of TD adolescents was used for both disability groups (ID and autism spectrum disorder). The online version of the article has been corrected.The parent study was published as Stanish, H.I., Curtin, C., Must, A., Phillips, S., Maslin, M., & Bandini, L. (2016). Physical activity enjoyment, perceived barriers, and beliefs among adolescents with and without intellectual disabilities. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 13(1), 102–110. doi:10.1123/jpah.2014-0548.

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