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NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AT INTERVENTION CENTERS IN HANOI, 2025
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Abstract
Aims: To describe the nutritional status of children with autism spectrum disorder at intervention centers in Hanoi.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 164 children with autism spectrum disorder aged 2–12 years at nine intervention centers in Hanoi from August 2025 to December 2025. Nutritional status was assessed using Z-scores with WHO Anthro software for children under 5 years of age and WHO AnthroPlus software for children aged 5 years and older.
Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was 5.6%, 7.9%, and 5.5%, respectively. Notably, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the 5–12-year age group was 37.1%, higher than the 9.0% observed in the 2–<5-year age group.
Conclusion: Children with autism spectrum disorder at intervention centers in Hanoi are facing a double burden of malnutrition, particularly overweight and obesity in the 5–12-year age group. Periodic nutritional screening should be implemented at intervention centers to enable early detection and control of the risk of undernutrition, overweight, and obesity in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorder, nutritional status, children., intervention cencer, Hanoi.
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References
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