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

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

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