Brandy E Strahan
University of Florida, USA
Title: Obesity in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders
Biography
Biography: Brandy E Strahan
Abstract
Adolescents with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be particularly vulnerable to obesity due to the behavioral, physical, and psychosocial complications related to their condition. This presentation provides a general background related to obesity in adolescence with specific emphasis on obesity in the ASD population. A search of PubMed, CINAHL, and ProQuest databases revealed several studies which demonstrated that interventions involving physical activity with typically developing, obese adolescents can have positive effects on body mass index, weight, and body composition. However, these findings also suggest that more research is needed to help tailor these interventions to meet the needs of similar adolescents with ASD. To clarify these needs, we present a case study that illustrates the special challenges of treating an obese adolescent with ASD and then offer suggestions for future research
Speaker Presentations
Speaker PPTs Click Here