The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey: Comparisons with Obesity and Physical Activity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Helsel, Brian C., ; Foster, Rachel N. S.; Sherman, Joseph; Steele, Robert; Ptomey, Lauren T.; Montgomery, Robert; Washburn, Richard A.; Donnelly, Joseph E.
- Source
- Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders; Jan2023, Vol. 53 Issue 1, p89-95, 7p, 2 Charts, 1 Graph
- Subject
- Families
Autism
Adolescence
Risk of childhood obesity
Nonparametric statistics
Yoga
Anthropometry
Diet
Physical activity
Risk assessment
Weight gain
Questionnaires
Descriptive statistics
Research funding
- Language
- ISSN
- 01623257
Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a heightened risk for obesity. Family-level measures of nutrition and physical activity may help explain factors contributing to disproportionate rates of weight gain. Twenty adolescents with ASD participated in baseline testing for a study to assess the feasibility of remotely-delivered yoga. Parents completed the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) survey and anthropometrics and physical activity were assessed in the adolescents. A median split was applied to the FNPA score to create high and low obesogenic environments and nonparametric O'Brien's multiple endpoint tests were used to evaluate the differences. Between-group differences were found in anthropometrics (p = 0.01) but not physical activity (p = 0.72). Implications for a multifaceted family-based approach to obesity prevention are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]