ALPHA PSYCHIATRY
Original Articles

Investigation of autism spectrum disorder and autistic symptoms in obese children and adolescents

1.

University of Health Sciences, Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital

2.

University of Health Sciences, Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital

Alpha Psychiatry 2018; 19: 518-525
DOI: 10.5455/apd.289937
Read: 942 Downloads: 597 Published: 01 October 2018

Objective: Obesity remains a chronic disorder, which triggers both psychological and physical challenges and need not to be probed only from the biological viewpoint. Various obesity-linked psychiatric diseases have been docu-mented in past studies. Nevertheless, there is never adequate information on the correlation between obesity and autism/autistic symptoms in literature. However, high rates of obesity among autistic adolescents and children re-mained further stressed in the latest studies. The purpose of this study is to compare autistic and autistic symptoms in normal weight and body-mass index (BMI) and obese children. Methods: The study group entailed 204 adoles-cents and children with obesity whereas the control group entailed 143 children and adolescents in normal weight. The participants were handed sociodemographic data form, Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). The assessment of autism spectrum disorder and autistic symptoms were done utilizing questionnaires and clinical interviews based on DSM-5. Results: Three children had positive ASD diagnosis. All of them were from obese group. The total score of ABC alongside relating (social skills) and sensory scores subgroups was found higher significantly in obese group. The SCQ total and subgroup scores were higher in the obese group, it was not significant. Nonetheless, the quantity of children with SCQ (positive score) beyond cutoff stood higher significantly in obese group. Discussion: We found a close correlation between obesity and autism and autistic symptoms. We suggest that common genetic studies to be performed on this field should clarify the relationship between autism and obesity more clearly. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2018; 19(5.000): 518-525]

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