An intensively-quoted study led by McMaster University researchers has found children who are obese and overweight at the start of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk of later developing the disorder, also known as autism-related neurodevelopmental disorders (AutRsDNS).
The researchers found that children who were considered obese and overweight (BMI of 40 or higher) at birth were at 2.8 times greater risk of developing ASD—the hormone disorder affecting about one in 7,000 children in the reproductive years—as compared with children who were considered overweight (BMI of 25 to 26).
“These findings are consistent with clinically published data that show overweight and obesity increase the risk of ASD and are strongly associated with later diagnosis,” said Dr.
Mellick.
“These studies have looked at a particular group of people for no funder theory.” She said previous ASD research and this study could prove to be an important reference when interpreting the ASD data.
