Obesity in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders

• A lit review was done for interventions with obese adolescents and those with ASD.
• We provide a case study revealing unique challenges for obese adolescents with ASD.
• Physical activity interventions prove to be powerful for weight loss.
• Future ASD research should focus on physical activity and health outcomes.

Adolescents with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be particularly vulnerable to obesity due to the behavioral, physical, and psychosocial complications related to their condition. This article provides a general background related to obesity in adolescence with specific emphasis on obesity in the ASD population. A search of PubMed, CINAHL, and ProQuest databases revealed several studies which demonstrated that interventions involving physical activity with typically developing, obese adolescents can have positive effects on body mass index, weight, and body composition. However, these findings also suggest that more research is needed to help tailor these interventions to meet the needs of similar adolescents with ASD. To clarify these needs, we present a case study that illustrates the special challenges of treating an obese adolescent with ASD and then offer suggestions for future research.