An investigation of the diet, exercise, sleep, BMI, and health outcomes of autistic adults / E. WEIR in Molecular Autism, 12 (2021)  

Public ISBD [article]  inMolecular Autism > 12 (2021) . - 31 p. Titre : An investigation of the diet, exercise, sleep, BMI, and health outcomes of autistic adults Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : E. WEIR, Auteur ; Carrie ALLISON, Auteur ; K. K. ONG, Auteur ; Simon BARON-COHEN, Auteur Article en page(s) : 31 p. Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Adult outcomes  Comorbidities  Exercise  Healthcare  Nutrition  Physical health  Sleep Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Studies of autistic children suggest that restricted eating, reduced physical activity, and sleep disorders are common; however, no studies attempt to broadly describe the diet, exercise, and sleep patterns of autistic adults or consider relationships between lifestyle behaviors and the widely reported increased risks of obesity and chronic conditions. To address this, the authors developed the largest study of lifestyle patterns of autistic adults and assessed their relationships to body mass index, health outcomes, and family history. METHODS: We administered an anonymized, online survey to n?=?2386 adults (n?=?1183 autistic) aged 16-90 years of age. We employed Fisher's exact tests and binomial logistic regression to describe diet, exercise, and sleep patterns; mediation of seizure disorders on sleep; body mass index (BMI); relationships of lifestyle factors to BMI, cardiovascular conditions, and diabetic conditions; and sex differences among autistic adults. RESULTS: Autistic adults, and particularly autistic females, exhibit unhealthy diet, exercise, and sleep patterns; they are also more likely to be underweight or obese. Limited sleep duration and high rates of sleep disturbances cannot be accounted for by epilepsy or seizure disorders. Lifestyle factors are positively related to higher risk of cardiovascular conditions among autistic males, even more than family history. LIMITATIONS: Our sample may not be representative of all autistic and non-autistic people, as it primarily comprised individuals who are white, female, have a high school education or higher, and reside in the UK. Our sampling methods may also exclude some individuals on the autism spectrum, and particularly those with moderate to severe intellectual disability. This is a cross-sectional sample that can test for relationships between factors (e.g., lifestyle factors and health outcomes) but cannot assess the direction of these relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Autistic adults are less likely to meet minimal health recommendations for diet, exercise, and sleep-and these unhealthy behaviors may relate to excess risk of cardiovascular conditions. Although the present study can only provide preliminary, correlational evidence, our findings suggest that diet, exercise, and sleep should be considered and further investigated as key targets for reducing the now widely reported and dramatically increased risks of health comorbidity and premature death among autistic individuals compared to others. Physicians should work cooperatively with patients to provide health education and develop individualized strategies for how to better manage challenges with diet, exercise, and sleep. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-021-00441-x Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=459 [article] An investigation of the diet, exercise, sleep, BMI, and health outcomes of autistic adults [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / E. WEIR, Auteur ; Carrie ALLISON, Auteur ; K. K. ONG, Auteur ; Simon BARON-COHEN, Auteur . - 31 p. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Molecular Autism > 12 (2021) . - 31 p. Mots-clés : Adult outcomes  Comorbidities  Exercise  Healthcare  Nutrition  Physical health  Sleep Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Studies of autistic children suggest that restricted eating, reduced physical activity, and sleep disorders are common; however, no studies attempt to broadly describe the diet, exercise, and sleep patterns of autistic adults or consider relationships between lifestyle behaviors and the widely reported increased risks of obesity and chronic conditions. To address this, the authors developed the largest study of lifestyle patterns of autistic adults and assessed their relationships to body mass index, health outcomes, and family history. METHODS: We administered an anonymized, online survey to n?=?2386 adults (n?=?1183 autistic) aged 16-90 years of age. We employed Fisher's exact tests and binomial logistic regression to describe diet, exercise, and sleep patterns; mediation of seizure disorders on sleep; body mass index (BMI); relationships of lifestyle factors to BMI, cardiovascular conditions, and diabetic conditions; and sex differences among autistic adults. RESULTS: Autistic adults, and particularly autistic females, exhibit unhealthy diet, exercise, and sleep patterns; they are also more likely to be underweight or obese. Limited sleep duration and high rates of sleep disturbances cannot be accounted for by epilepsy or seizure disorders. Lifestyle factors are positively related to higher risk of cardiovascular conditions among autistic males, even more than family history. LIMITATIONS: Our sample may not be representative of all autistic and non-autistic people, as it primarily comprised individuals who are white, female, have a high school education or higher, and reside in the UK. Our sampling methods may also exclude some individuals on the autism spectrum, and particularly those with moderate to severe intellectual disability. This is a cross-sectional sample that can test for relationships between factors (e.g., lifestyle factors and health outcomes) but cannot assess the direction of these relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Autistic adults are less likely to meet minimal health recommendations for diet, exercise, and sleep-and these unhealthy behaviors may relate to excess risk of cardiovascular conditions. Although the present study can only provide preliminary, correlational evidence, our findings suggest that diet, exercise, and sleep should be considered and further investigated as key targets for reducing the now widely reported and dramatically increased risks of health comorbidity and premature death among autistic individuals compared to others. Physicians should work cooperatively with patients to provide health education and develop individualized strategies for how to better manage challenges with diet, exercise, and sleep. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-021-00441-x Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=459

Medical symptoms and conditions in autistic women / T. SIMANTOV in Autism, 26-2 (February 2022)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 26-2 (February 2022) . - p.373-388 Titre : Medical symptoms and conditions in autistic women Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : T. SIMANTOV, Auteur ; A. POHL, Auteur ; A. TSOMPANIDIS, Auteur ; E. WEIR, Auteur ; M. V. LOMBARDO, Auteur ; A. RUIGROK, Auteur ; P. SMITH, Auteur ; Carrie ALLISON, Auteur ; Simon BARON-COHEN, Auteur ; F. UZEFOVSKY, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.373-388 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  clinical  females  puberty  steroids  testosterone Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Sex-steroids, such as testosterone, are thought to be one of the biological factors implicated in autism. This relies on the sex bias in the diagnosis of autism (boys are approximately four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls) and findings of associations with fetal testosterone levels in traits and abilities related to autism. The current study aimed to examine the association between medical conditions and physical symptoms, which tend to manifest in adulthood, and autism in females. Moreover, we examined their association with autistic traits throughout the spectrum. We focused on autistic women because there is little research focusing on the healthcare needs of autistic women, but those that exist suggest heightened vulnerability, and lower access to medical care. We find that conditions related to steroid hormones function are more frequent in autistic women and that they correlate with autistic traits. Specifically, we found that body mass index, reproductive system diagnoses, prediabetes symptoms, irregular puberty onset, and menstrual irregularities were significantly more frequent in autistic women and were significantly correlated with autistic traits in neurotypical women. The findings have important implications for raising awareness in autistic women of the possibility of medical conditions which might need medical attention. In addition, healthcare providers should consider these associations when performing healthcare maintenance checks and/or screening for autism. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613211022091 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=452 [article] Medical symptoms and conditions in autistic women [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / T. SIMANTOV, Auteur ; A. POHL, Auteur ; A. TSOMPANIDIS, Auteur ; E. WEIR, Auteur ; M. V. LOMBARDO, Auteur ; A. RUIGROK, Auteur ; P. SMITH, Auteur ; Carrie ALLISON, Auteur ; Simon BARON-COHEN, Auteur ; F. UZEFOVSKY, Auteur . - p.373-388. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 26-2 (February 2022) . - p.373-388 Mots-clés : autism  clinical  females  puberty  steroids  testosterone Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Sex-steroids, such as testosterone, are thought to be one of the biological factors implicated in autism. This relies on the sex bias in the diagnosis of autism (boys are approximately four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls) and findings of associations with fetal testosterone levels in traits and abilities related to autism. The current study aimed to examine the association between medical conditions and physical symptoms, which tend to manifest in adulthood, and autism in females. Moreover, we examined their association with autistic traits throughout the spectrum. We focused on autistic women because there is little research focusing on the healthcare needs of autistic women, but those that exist suggest heightened vulnerability, and lower access to medical care. We find that conditions related to steroid hormones function are more frequent in autistic women and that they correlate with autistic traits. Specifically, we found that body mass index, reproductive system diagnoses, prediabetes symptoms, irregular puberty onset, and menstrual irregularities were significantly more frequent in autistic women and were significantly correlated with autistic traits in neurotypical women. The findings have important implications for raising awareness in autistic women of the possibility of medical conditions which might need medical attention. In addition, healthcare providers should consider these associations when performing healthcare maintenance checks and/or screening for autism. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613211022091 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=452

The sexual health, orientation, and activity of autistic adolescents and adults / E. WEIR in Autism Research, 14-11 (November 2021)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 14-11 (November 2021) . - p.2342-2354 Titre : The sexual health, orientation, and activity of autistic adolescents and adults Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : E. WEIR, Auteur ; Carrie ALLISON, Auteur ; Simon BARON-COHEN, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.2342-2354 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Adolescent  Adult  Autism Spectrum Disorder  Autistic Disorder/epidemiology  Bisexuality  Child  Female  Heterosexuality  Humans  Male  Sexual Behavior  Sexual Health  adolescents  adults  sexual activity  sexual orientation Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Small studies suggest significant differences between autistic and nonautistic individuals regarding sexual orientation and behavior. We administered an anonymized, online survey to n = 2386 adults (n = 1183 autistic) aged 16-90?years to describe sexual activity, risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual orientation. Autistic individuals are less likely to report sexually activity or heterosexuality compared to nonautistic individuals, but more likely to self-report asexuality or an 'other' sexuality. Overall, autistic, and nonautistic groups did not differ in age of sexual activity onset or contraction of STIs. When evaluating sex differences, autistic males are uniquely more likely to be bisexual (compared to nonautistic males); conversely, autistic females are uniquely more likely to be homosexual (compared to nonautistic females). Thus, both autistic males and females may express a wider range of sexual orientations in different sex-specific patterns than general population peers. When comparing autistic males and females directly, females are more likely to have diverse sexual orientations (except for homosexuality) and engage in sexual activity, are less likely to identify as heterosexual, and have a lower mean age at which they first begin engaging in sexual activity. This is the largest study of sexual orientation of autistic adults. Sexual education and sexual health screenings of all children, adolescents, and adults (including autistic individuals) must remain priorities; healthcare professionals should use language that affirms a diversity of sexual orientations and supports autistic individuals who may have increased risks (affecting mental health, physical health, and healthcare quality) due to stress and discrimination from this intersectionality. LAY SUMMARY: This is the largest study on the sexual activity, orientation, and health of autistic adults. This study reaffirms that the majority of autistic adults are interested in sexual relationships and engage in sexual activity. Sexual education and sexual health screenings must remain a priority for all individuals, including those with autism; healthcare professionals should be aware that autistic patients may be more likely to identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Asexual, and other identities not listed here (LGBTQA+) which may put them at greater risk of mental and physical health difficulties due to discrimination. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aur.2604 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=450 [article] The sexual health, orientation, and activity of autistic adolescents and adults [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / E. WEIR, Auteur ; Carrie ALLISON, Auteur ; Simon BARON-COHEN, Auteur . - p.2342-2354. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 14-11 (November 2021) . - p.2342-2354 Mots-clés : Adolescent  Adult  Autism Spectrum Disorder  Autistic Disorder/epidemiology  Bisexuality  Child  Female  Heterosexuality  Humans  Male  Sexual Behavior  Sexual Health  adolescents  adults  sexual activity  sexual orientation Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Small studies suggest significant differences between autistic and nonautistic individuals regarding sexual orientation and behavior. We administered an anonymized, online survey to n = 2386 adults (n = 1183 autistic) aged 16-90?years to describe sexual activity, risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual orientation. Autistic individuals are less likely to report sexually activity or heterosexuality compared to nonautistic individuals, but more likely to self-report asexuality or an 'other' sexuality. Overall, autistic, and nonautistic groups did not differ in age of sexual activity onset or contraction of STIs. When evaluating sex differences, autistic males are uniquely more likely to be bisexual (compared to nonautistic males); conversely, autistic females are uniquely more likely to be homosexual (compared to nonautistic females). Thus, both autistic males and females may express a wider range of sexual orientations in different sex-specific patterns than general population peers. When comparing autistic males and females directly, females are more likely to have diverse sexual orientations (except for homosexuality) and engage in sexual activity, are less likely to identify as heterosexual, and have a lower mean age at which they first begin engaging in sexual activity. This is the largest study of sexual orientation of autistic adults. Sexual education and sexual health screenings of all children, adolescents, and adults (including autistic individuals) must remain priorities; healthcare professionals should use language that affirms a diversity of sexual orientations and supports autistic individuals who may have increased risks (affecting mental health, physical health, and healthcare quality) due to stress and discrimination from this intersectionality. LAY SUMMARY: This is the largest study on the sexual activity, orientation, and health of autistic adults. This study reaffirms that the majority of autistic adults are interested in sexual relationships and engage in sexual activity. Sexual education and sexual health screenings must remain a priority for all individuals, including those with autism; healthcare professionals should be aware that autistic patients may be more likely to identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Asexual, and other identities not listed here (LGBTQA+) which may put them at greater risk of mental and physical health difficulties due to discrimination. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aur.2604 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=450

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