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Anthropometric Profile, Overweight/Obesity Prevalence, and Socioeconomic Impact in Moroccan Children Aged 6–12 Years Old with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Author

Listed:
  • Rachid Touali

    (Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco)

  • Maxime Allisse

    (Faculty of Physical Activity Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada)

  • Jamal Zerouaoui

    (Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco)

  • El Mahjoub Chakir

    (Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco)

  • Dominic Gagnon

    (Jonquière Médic, Jonquière, QC G7X 7W6, Canada)

  • Hung Tien Bui

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, 3001 12 Ave N Immeuble X1, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada)

  • Mario Leone

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, 3001 12 Ave N Immeuble X1, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada)

Abstract

Background: In addition to the inherent challenges of their condition, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are also susceptible to the global obesity epidemic. However, concerning the prevalence of obesity within the Moroccan ASD pediatric population, data remain scarce. Methods: A total of 258 children (boys = 195) aged 6 to 12 years old (mean = 9.4 ± 1.4) diagnosed with ASD participated in this study. Besides the body mass and height, four significant anthropometric markers for assessing obesity were examined: body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Each anthropometric marker was categorized into one of three cardiometabolic risk levels based on the Z-scores and their corresponding percentiles. The distribution was as follows: low risk (≤84th percentile), high risk (85th–94th percentile), and very high risk (≥95th percentile). Subsequently, a multiple regression analysis was employed to develop an algorithm that generates a composite risk score. This score incorporates all the anthropometric variables simultaneously, while also weighting their individual contributions to the cardiometabolic risk. Results: Children with ASD exhibit an anthropometric profile that markedly increases their susceptibility to cardiometabolic issues. While roughly 11% of the general Moroccan child population is overweight or obese, this figure soars to nearly 60% among children with ASD when considering the central adiposity markers. Furthermore, children from middle-class socioeconomic backgrounds display a more than threefold greater risk of developing overweight or obesity compared to their counterparts from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Conclusions: This study has, for the first time, provided an up-to-date overview of the cardiometabolic risk in Moroccan children with ASD using traditional anthropometric measurements. The primary risk factor is clearly linked to central (abdominal) adiposity, which is recognized as the most deleterious. This study highlights the need to include general and central obesity markers. This study underscores the importance of incorporating both general and central adiposity markers for a more comprehensive assessment, and it emphasizes the need for closer monitoring within this high-risk population.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachid Touali & Maxime Allisse & Jamal Zerouaoui & El Mahjoub Chakir & Dominic Gagnon & Hung Tien Bui & Mario Leone, 2024. "Anthropometric Profile, Overweight/Obesity Prevalence, and Socioeconomic Impact in Moroccan Children Aged 6–12 Years Old with Autism Spectrum Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-16, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:6:p:672-:d:1400841
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Viktoryia Karchynskaya & Jaroslava Kopcakova & Daniel Klein & Aleš Gába & Andrea Madarasova-Geckova & Jitse P. van Dijk & Andrea F. de Winter & Sijmen A. Reijneveld, 2020. "Is BMI a Valid Indicator of Overweight and Obesity for Adolescents?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Mario Leone & Hung Tien Bui & Emilia Kalinova & Jean Lemoyne & Dominic Gagnon & Luc Léger & Georges Larivière & Maxime Allisse, 2024. "Investigation of Underlying Association between Anthropometric and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Markers among Overweight and Obese Adolescents in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-26, March.
    3. Tianwei Zhong & Hui Liu & Yan Li & Jing Qi, 2022. "Correlates of Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review of Cross-Sectional Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-17, December.
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