Background

Boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower bone mineral density (BMD) than typically developing controls. Differences in diet and exercise may contribute to low BMD.

Objective

Our aim was to examine macro- and micronutrient intakes and self-reported physical activity in boys with ASD compared to TDC and the relationship of these variables with BMD.

Design/methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 49 boys (25 ASD, 24 typically developing controls) assessed for 3-day food records and physical activity records, and BMD of the whole body less head, hip, and spine using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Fasting levels of 25(OH) vitamin D and calcium were obtained.

Participants

Participants were adolescent boys, aged 8 to 17 years, recruited from a clinic population (ASD) or community advertisements (ASD and typically developing controls) matched for age.

Results

ASD participants were approximately 9 months younger than typically developing control participants on average. Body mass index and serum vitamin D and calcium levels were similar. Boys with ASD consumed 16% fewer calories, with a larger percentage obtained from carbohydrates, and 37% less animal protein and 20% less fat than typically developing controls. A lower proportion of ASD participants were categorized as “very physically active” (27% vs 79%; P<0.001). BMD z scores were 0.7 to 1.2 standard deviations lower in ASD than typically developing controls at all locations. Higher animal protein, calcium, and phosphorus intakes were associated positively with bone density measures in boys with ASD.

Conclusions

Compared to typically developing controls, boys with ASD had lower protein, calcium, and phosphorus intakes, activity levels, and BMD z scores at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, total hip, and whole body less head. Protein, calcium, and phosphorus intakes were associated positively with BMD.

中文翻译：

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自闭症谱系障碍男孩的营养和骨密度

背景

自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的男孩的骨矿物质密度（BMD）比通常发育的对照组低。饮食和运动的差异可能会导致BMD降低。

客观的

我们的目的是检查与TDC相比，ASD男孩的大量和微量营养素摄入量以及自我报告的身体活动，以及这些变量与BMD的关系。

设计/方法

我们进行了一项横断面研究，评估了49位男孩（25 ASD，24位通常在发育中的对照组）的3天食物记录和体力活动记录，并使用双能X线分析了整个身体的BMD（减去头，髋和脊柱）射线吸收光度法。空腹水平的25（OH）维生素D和钙。

参加者

参加者是年龄从8到17岁的青少年男孩，他们是从诊所人口（ASD）或与年龄匹配的社区广告（ASD和通常发展为对照组的人）中招募的。

结果

平均而言，ASD参与者比典型的对照组参与者年轻约9个月。体重指数与血清维生素D和钙水平相似。与典型的对照组相比，患有自闭症的男孩所消耗的卡路里减少了16％，其中碳水化合物所占的百分比更高，动物蛋白和脂肪减少了37％。较低比例的ASD参与者被归类为“非常活跃”（27％比79％；P <0.001）。在所有部位，BSD z评分在ASD中均比通常发育的对照低0.7到1.2个标准差。ASD男孩中较高的动物蛋白，钙和磷摄入量与骨密度测量值呈正相关。

结论

与正常发育的对照组相比，患有ASD的男孩在腰椎，股骨颈，全髋关节和全身头部较少时蛋白质，钙和磷的摄入量，活动水平和BMD z得分较低。蛋白质，钙和磷的摄入与BMD呈正相关。