Environmental Factors Associated with Physical Activity and Screen Time Among Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2020-05, Vol.50 (5), p.1572-1579
• Main Authors: Healy, Seán, Garcia, Jeanette M., Haegele, Justin A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autism; Autistic children; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Children; Environmental aspects; Environmental factors; Environmental Influences; Exercise; Exercise for children; Health aspects; Mass Media Use; Neighborhoods; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Parenting Styles; Pediatrics; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Physical activity; Physical Activity Level; Physical fitness for children; Psychology; Public Health; Screen time; Sedentary behavior; Social aspects; Television; Television and children; Television Viewing; Time use
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3818-0

This study aimed to examine how environmental factors are associated with physical activity (PA) and screen-time (ST) among children with and without ASD (n = 1380 and 1411, respectively). For TD children, the absence of a bedroom television and neighborhood support were associated with PA. For children with ASD, no environmental factors were associated with PA. Regarding ST, the presence of a bedroom television, absence of limits on ST, lack of neighborhood amenities and support, and adverse neighborhood factors were all associated with ST among TD children. For children with ASD, the presence of a bedroom television and the absence of limits on ST were associated with ST. Potential explanations for this dichotomy and suggestions for future research are discussed.