Overweight and obese status in children with autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behavior.
Kristen K Criado, William G Sharp, Courtney E McCracken and 10 others
PMID 28325061WHAT IT FOUND
Children with autism and disruptive behavior were nearly twice as likely to be obese compared to matched controls.
Obesity was more common in minority groups and in children with lower daily living skills.
Key findings
01In the autism sample, overweight was 42.4% and obesity was 21.4%.
02Children with autism and disruptive behavior had significantly higher combined overweight and obesity than matched NHANES controls, and were nearly twice as likely to be obese.
03Within the autism sample, minority status was associated with obesity, 47.5% in the obese group versus 25.3% in the non-obese group, odds ratio 2.66, and obese children had lower Vineland Daily Living scores, 40.4 versus 46.4, p = 0.04.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample came from treatment-seeking children enrolled in medication trials focused on disruptive behavior, so it may not represent all children with autism and disruptive behavior. Because prior medication history was not collected systematically, earlier medications that could affect weight cannot be ruled out. The study did not measure detailed diet, mealtime behavior, physical activity, family eating habits, or parents' height and weight. The single question about peculiar eating habits was too limited to evaluate feeding difficulties. The controls were screened to exclude possible autism and other physical, mental, or emotional problems, so they may not represent all children without autism. It is an observational comparison, not a treatment trial, so it cannot show that disruptive behavior causes obesity.
Declared interests
The study used National Institute of Mental Health-funded trial data. Dr. Aman has received research contracts, consulted, served on advisory boards, or done investigator training for CogState, Inc., CogState Clinical Trials, Ltd., Coronado Biosciences, Forest Research, Hoffman-La Roche, Lumos Pharma, MedAvante, Inc., ProPhase LLC, and Supernus Pharmaceuticals. Dr. J. McCracken has received NIMH research grant and contract funds, consultant income from Roche, research contract support from Seaside Pharmaceuticals and Roche, and speaker honoraria from Roche.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the finding that children were nearly twice as likely to be obese as proof that disruptive behavior causes obesity. The study is an observational comparison, not a treatment trial, and prior medication history was not collected systematically.