I Work Out, Who Cares if I'm Bigger: What Matters to Youth with ASD regarding Weight and Their Bodies?

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity, in addition to weight stigma, can result in numerous physical and psychosocial conditions. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at a higher risk of developing overweight/obesity than their typically developing peers, yet we know little about what matters to them with regards to weight and their bodies. Methods: Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with youth with ASD. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a phenomenological approach within an interpretive paradigm. Results: Participants mostly showed little concern about their weight. Participants highly valued moving their bodies and reported feeling good about their bodies. Discussion: Findings suggest that children with ASD may be more engaged in healthcare discussions focusing on growth and health rather than size and weight. This approach can also reduce stigmatizing discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]