Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be at increased risk for overweight and obesity, but little information is known about correlates of overweight and obesity in this population. This study compared prevalence rates of parent-reported overweight and obesity and specific health behaviors (i.e., parent report of child sleep, family meal patterns, child screen time, and child physical activity) among children with ASD (N = more than 900 [weighted to represent 690,000; age 10-17]) compared with children without ASD using data from a nationally representative sample. Additionally, the relationship between specific health behaviors (i.e., child sleep, family meals, screen time, and physical activity) and weight status was examined in the ASD population. Data were from the National Survey of Children's Health 2011-2012. Results indicate that children with ASD were more likely to be obese but not more likely to be overweight than non-ASD youth. Children with ASD engaged in physical activity less than children without ASD, but no differences were found on sleep, most measures of screen time, and mealtimes. However, parent perceived poorer sleep was associated with increased weight status, and fewer family meals were associated with normal weight status among children with ASD.

Background:Little is known about body weight status, and the association between body weight and common comorbidities in children and adults with Down syndrome (DS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Methods: Data were extracted from the University of Kansas Medical Center's Healthcare Enterprise Repository for Ontological Narration (HERON) clinical integrated data repository. Measures included demographics (sex, age, race), disability diagnosis, comorbid health conditions, height, weight, and body mass index percentiles (BMI%ile; <18 years of age) or BMI (≥18 years of age). Results: 468 individuals with DS (122 children, 346 adults), 1659 individuals with ASD (1073 children, 585 adults), and 604 individuals with other-IDDs (152 children, 452 adults) were identified. 47.0% (DS), 41.9% (ASD) and 33.5% (IDD) of children had overweight/obese (OW/ OB), respectively. Children with DS were more likely to have OW/OB compared to children with IDD or ASD (OR= 1.91, 95% C.I: (1.49, 2.46); OR=1.43, 95% C.I: (1.19, 1.72)), respectively.

Children maintained treatment gains achieved during a 24-week family-based behavioral weight management program at 2-year follow-up. Although these findings suggest that gains are sustainable, further research is needed to understand how these long-term changes impact child health.