The proposed project uses the social-ecological framework to understand obesity risk in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The prevalence of ASD and childhood obesity are increasing and children with ASD are at an increased risk of obesity compared to typically developing children. As obesity in children with ASD may increase with age there is a need to explore factors in adolescents with ASD. ASD and obesity are complex diagnoses impacted by personal family healthcare neighborhood and community factors and research on synergy between these risk factors is warranted. The goal of the proposed project is to better understand the social-ecological context for ASD and obesity to address disparities in adolescents with ASD as they transition to adult health care. The project will focus on the following aims using data from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH): (1) determine the co-occurrence of childhood obesity among US children with ASD compared to those without ASD in adolescents aged 10-17 adjusting ASD severity and other co-occurring conditions; (2) examine child characteristics and family community/neighborhood and healthcare determinants associated with childhood obesity among children with ASD compared to those without ASD; (3) implement an ecological approach to identify pathways for intervention and develop a conceptual framework for action.
Buro AW, Salinas-Miranda A, Marshall J, Gray HL, Kirby RS. Correlates of obesity in adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder: The 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's Health. Disabil Health J. 2022;15(2):101221. doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101221 DOI:10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101221 April 2022 34654677
Buro AW, Salinas-Miranda A, Marshall J, Gray HL, Kirby RS. Obesity and co-occurring conditions among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: The National Survey of Children's Health 2017�2018. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2022/04/01/ 2022;92:101927. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2022.101927 DOI:10.1016/j.rasd.2022.101927 April 2022
Buro AW, Salinas-Miranda A, Marshall J, Gray HL, Kirby RS. Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis and Other Child, Family, and Community Risk Factors for Obesity among Children and Adolescents Aged Ten to Seventeen Years in the United States: A Mediation Analysis [published online ahead of print, 2022 Apr 7]. Child Obes. 2022;10.1089/chi.2021.0260. doi:10.1089/chi.2021.0260 DOI:10.1089/chi.2021.0260 April 2022 35394360
Buro AW, Salinas-Miranda A, Marshall J, Gray HL, Kirby RS. Obesity and neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions among adolescents aged 10-17 years: The National Survey of Children's Health 2017-2018. J Paediatr Child Health. 2022;58(10):1753-1759. doi:10.1111/jpc.16081 DOI:10.1111/jpc.16081 October 2022 35748345