Associations Between Family Member BMI and Obesity Status of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Issue 9 (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dempsey, Jack; Dempsey, Allison G.; Voigt, Robert G.; Monteiro, Sonia
• Is Part Of: Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Volume 38:Issue 9(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: BMI -- obesity -- autism spectrum disorder -- family factors; Child development -- Periodicals; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Behavior disorders in children -- Periodicals; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.92805
• DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000491
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-206X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine whether there is an association between parent and sibling obesity status and obesity status in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: We examined predictors of obesity in children with ASD with body mass index data for the proband, 1 sibling, and 2 parents using data from the multisite Simons Simplex Collection. Results: In a stepwise logistic regression model, proband obesity status was associated with obesity status of the sibling (odds ratio [OR] 2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92–3.70), mother (OR 2.10; 95% CI, 1.59–2.77), and father (OR 1.51; 95% CI, 1.15–1.98). Proband obesity was also related to somatic complaints (OR 1.60; 95% CI, 1.006–2.53), mood stabilizers (OR 1.80; 95% CI, 1.19–2.72), internalizing problems (OR 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14–2.30), age (OR 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.01), and some adaptive functioning domains (OR 0.987; 95% CI, 0.977–0.997). Race, ethnicity, income, sex, and maternal education were not significant predictors. Conclusion: Familial factors were generally the strongest predictors of obesity rather than medication use, demographics, or psychological characteristics. Results support a family-centered approach to treatment of obesity in children with ASD.