Underweight, overweight, obesity and associated factors in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in China

• Published in: Research in autism spectrum disorders Vol. 115; p. 102414
• Main Authors: Zhao, Yanan, Zhang, Rong, Zheng, Xiaoying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Adolescents; Autism spectrum disorder; Children; China; Weight status; Weight status; Children; Adolescents; China; Autism spectrum disorder
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102414
• ISSN: 1750-9467

Relatively little is known about weight status for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in China. This study examined the weight status of Chinese children and adolescents, as well as the factors that influence it. This study describes three weight status (underweight, overweight, obesity) and their influencing factors associated with weight status retrospectively, in a large sample (N = 5910) of Chinese children and adolescents (2–16 years old) (average = 5.4 years, SD=2.6 years). Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess children and adolescents with ASD in 2020. Logit regression was used to investigate the factors that influence weight status. The prevalence of overweight, obesity was 14.2% and 11.6% respectively. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity (⩾P 85) was 25.8%, with 22.3% in the 2–5-year-old group, 31.6% in the 6–8-year-old group, 30.8% in the 9–12-year-old group, and 29.0% in the 13–16-year-old group. The prevalence of underweight (<P 5) was 10.0% overall, with 6.3% in 2–5 years old group, 14.3% in 6–8 years old group,17.8% in 9–12 years old group and 24.1% in 13–16 years old group. Overweight and obese individuals were more likely to be older, male, and from low-income families. The older the age, the lower the birth weight, the greater the risk of being underweight. The severity of ASD has no association with BMI. A high prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was observed in Chinese children and adolescents, especially for those aged above 6 years. •The prevalence of overweight, obesity, underweight was 14.2%, 11.6% and 10% respectively.•The subgroup observed to be particularly at risk for overweight and obesity is children and youth aged 6-16 years and boy.•The subgroup observed to be particularly at risk for underweight is children and youth aged 9-16 years.•Children with low birth weight were more likely to be underweight.•The severity of ASD has no association with BMI.