Graduation Date
Summer 2017
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology, option Teaching/Coaching
Committee Chair Name
Sean Healy
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Chris Hopper
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Taylor Bloedon
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Fourth Committee Member Name
Rock Braithwaite
Fourth Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Typically Developing, Weight loss behaviors, weight perception
Subject Categories
Kinesiology
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the accuracy of weight status perception among adolescents with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. A secondary purpose is to compare weight loss behaviors between children with and without ASD.
METHODS: This study measured weight-perception and weight loss behaviors among Irish-thirteen-year olds with ASD (n=47) and typically developing (TD) children (n=47) (72% male). Participants completed questionnaires assessing perception of weight and weight loss behaviors. . Based on BMI, calculated from height and weight measurements, participants were classified as non-overweight, overweight and obese. Several Chi-square tests were used to examine (1) differences in accuracy of self-perception between adolescents with and without ASD, and (2) weight loss behaviors among children with and without ASD.
RESULTS: All results from this study were statistically non-significant. Although, the study demonstrated that overweight adolescents with ASD were more than twice as likely (35%) to perceive their weight inaccurately compared to their overweight TD counterparts (15.4%). CONCLUSION: Future research should investigate self-perception in adolescents with ASD and the effects their body image has on their weight loss behaviors, social motivation, physical activity levels, and psychological health.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Typically Developing, Weight loss behaviors, weight perception
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Elanor J., "Weight perception and weight loss behaviors: A comparison between adolescents with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder" (2017). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 51.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/51