Current perspectives on physical activity and exercise recommendations for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

ABSTRACT: Recent evidence suggests that childhood obesity is increasing in children who are developing typically as well as in children with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Impairments specific to autism as well as general environmental factors could lead to an imbalance between the intake and expenditure of energy, leading to obesity. In this article, we describe the mechanisms by which autism-specific impairments contribute to obesity. The evidence on exercise interventions to improve physical fitness, address obesity, and reduce autism-specific impairments in children and adolescents with ASDs is discussed. Limited evidence is currently available for exercise interventions in individuals with ASDs. Therefore, literature on other pediatric developmental disabil

SUBMITTER: Srinivasan SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4040426 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature