Abstract: Objective To investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity in children aged 3 - 6 years with autism spectrum disorder (ASD),and to explore the correlation between overweight/obesity and emotional-behavioral problems, in order to provide a reference for developing comprehensive intervention strategies for ASD children. Methods From December 2022 to December 2023, 241 ASD children aged 3 - 6 years receiving rehabilitation training at designated rehabilitation institutions in Nantong City were enrolled as study subjects. Physical measurements and evaluations were conducted, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess emotional-behavioral problems. The correlation between overweight/obesity and emotional-behavioral problems was analyzed. Results Among the 241 ASD children, 88 (36.51%) were overweight or obese, including 32 (13.28%) overweight and 56 (23.24%) obese cases. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of overweight/obesity between genders (χ²=0.348, P>0.05). The abnormal rates of SDQ emotional symptoms and total difficulties score in the overweight/obese group were 11.36% and 82.95%, respectively, significantly higher than those in the normal-weight group (4.58% and 70.59%) (χ²=3.927, 4.569, P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BMI in ASD children was positively correlated with emotional symptoms and total difficulties score (P<0.01), and age was positively correlated with the total difficulties score (P<0.01). Conclusions Overweight/obesity is prevalent among ASD children and is positively correlated with emotional-behavioral problems. This highlights the need for relevant departments and parents of ASD children to emphasize scientific feeding practices, regularly monitor physical growth and emotional-behavioral issues, especially in older children, and advocate for early comprehensive interventions to actively improve prognosis.

Key words: autism spectrum disorder, overweight, obesity, emotional and behavioral problems

摘要： 目的 了解3~6岁孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童超重/肥胖现况,并探讨超重/肥胖与其情绪行为问题的相关性,为ASD儿童制定综合干预措施提供参考依据。方法 于2022年12月—2023年12月收集南通市定点康复机构康复训练的241例3~6岁ASD儿童为研究对象,对其进行体格测量、评价、分析,采用SDQ量表评价其情绪行为问题,并探讨超重/肥胖与其情绪行为问题的相关性。结果 241例ASD儿童超重/肥胖的人数为88人(36.51%),其中超重32人(13.28%),肥胖56人(23.24%),不同性别间超重/肥胖构成差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.348,P>0.05);超重/肥胖组SDQ情绪症状和困难总分异常率分别为11.36%、82.95%,明显高于体重正常组(4.58%、70.59%),差异有统计学意义(χ²=3.927、4.569,P<0.05)。多重线性回归分析结果显示,ASD儿童体质量指数(BMI)与其情绪症状、困难总分呈正相关(β=0.32,0.31,P<0.01),年龄与困难总分呈正相关(β=0.17,P<0.01)。结论 ASD儿童普遍存在超重/肥胖问题,且超重/肥胖与其情绪行为问题有相关性且呈正相关,提醒相关部门和ASD儿童家长重视科学喂养,定期监测体格发育和情绪行为问题,尤其是年长患儿,提倡早期综合干预,积极改善患儿预后。

关键词: 孤独症谱系障碍, 超重, 肥胖, 情绪行为问题