The relationship of the development of motor skills and socioeconomic status of family with BMI of children with autism disorder

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between the development of motor skills and the socioeconomic status of families with body mass index (BMI) of children with autism disorder. Material: To this end, 68 children with autism at the age range of 6-13 years old were selected for the study. Their parents completed Family Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire. The motor skills level of children was measured by the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). The height and weight of children were measured to calculate their BMI. The results of the Pearson correlation test showed that there is a significant and negative relationship between the development of motor skills and the socioeconomic status of families with BMI of children with autism. Results: The results of the linear regression test also indicated that motor development and family socioeconomic status are predictors of BMI in people with autism (P<0.05). Conclusions: It is concluded that the socioeconomic status of the family and the motor development of children with autism are the determinants of their overweight and obesity and these factors should be considered in the interventions for children and families.