A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Environmental Correlates of Physical Activity and Screen-Time in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Seven-Country Observational Study
Authors: Haegele Justin A., Sun Fenghua, Li Chunxiao, Ng Kwok, Lee Jihyun, Ang Stefanie Hwee Chee, Alves Maria Luiza Tanure, Yang Hannah, Wu Yandan, Tan Jernice Sing Yee, Rintala Pauli, Huang Wendy Yajun, Healy Sean, Alves Isabella dos Santos, Schliemann Andre Lisandro, Maeng Hyokju, Karna Eija, Ding Ding
Publisher: SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
Journal acronym: J AUTISM DEV DISORD
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 0162-3257
eISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-05918-7(external)
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-05918-7(external)
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9970125/(external)
This cross-sectional observational study sought to examine the environmental correlates of physical activity and screen-time among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents of youth with ASD (n = 1,165) from seven countries/regions provided responses to an online survey form measuring environmental correlates (i.e., physical activity neighborhood environment, social network, social trust and cohesion, bedroom media, social home environment) and outcomes (i.e., physical activity, screen-time). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine environmental predictors of the outcomes. Physical activity neighborhood environment (B = 0.15, p = 0.047), social network (B = 0.16, p = 0.02), and social home environment (B = 1.07, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with physical activity, whereas social trust and cohesion and bedroom media were not. Further, social trust and cohesion (B = -0.14, p = 0.001), bedroom media (B = 0.10, p = 0.001), and social home environment (B = -0.16, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with screen-time while neighborhood environment and social network were not. The identified environmental attributes of physical activity and screen-time behaviors should be targeted for health promotion among youth with ASD.