6418 The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children with autism spectrum disorder in Trinidad and Tobago

Objectives To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) locally and to determine any associations with co-morbidities and lifestyle factors. Lifestyle factors include hours of physical activity, screentime, eating and sleeping habits. Obesity is an important pediatric health issue globally with a steadily increasing trend.¹ It causes health issues affecting almost all organ systems and increases the risk of mental health and social issues.² The occurrence of overweight and obesity in children with ASD has been recognized internationally but there is no similar local study.³ Methods A cross-sectional quantitative design was used. Consent was obtained during the clinic visit from the guardian then a data collection sheet filled out. This sheet comprised of sociodemographic and lifestyle related factors that may influence overweight and obesity. Weight was determined using a calibrated scale in kilograms while height was measured using a stadiometer in metres. Patients were chosen via convenience sampling during the period 12th December 2022 to 30th April 2023. The sample size obtained was 198 patients which was calculated using a 95% confidence interval and a precision of 5%. Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with ASD in Trinidad and Tobago was 11.6% and 20.2% respectively. Increasing age corresponded with increased weight while greater physical activity was correlated with a decrease in overweight and obesity. Additionally, the presence of ADHD was associated with higher odds of overweight and obesity in children with ASD. Children who preferred or refused foods with certain textures had a lower incidence of overweight and obesity. Other parameters studied including the presence of various co-morbidities, hours of screentime, medications used, other food preferences and issues regarding sleep did not show any significant correlation with overweight or obesity in this study. Conclusion The threat of increasing overweight and obesity also applies to Trinidad and Tobago and to this sub-population of children with ASD studied. The information obtained can be distributed to healthcare workers to assist in their management and guidance of these patients; it can also be organized and given to parents to aid in increasing their awareness around this issue. Further research with a larger population is necessary to learn more information and to aid in mitigating this worldwide health crisis. References Obesity and Overweight. World Health Organization. 2021. Kansra AR, Lakkunarajah S, Jay MS. Childhood and adolescent obesity: a review. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2021 Jan 12. Hill AP, Zuckerman KE, Fombonne E. Obesity and autism. Pediatrics 2015 Dec 1.