Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Handgrip Strength, and Cardiometabolic Health in Obese Children With or Without Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Retrospective Cohort Study
The goal of this observational study is to evaluate cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in children with obesity, with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and examine how fitness relates to body measurements, body composition, and cardiometabolic health. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do children with and without ASD differ in cardiorespiratory fitness and handgrip strength? * Are fitness levels related to body composition and measures of cardiometabolic health? Researchers will compare children with ASD to children without ASD to see if there are differences in fitness, body composition, and cardiometabolic health. Participants will have information from their medical records reviewed, including: * Cardiorespiratory fitness and handgrip strength test results * Height, weight, BMI, and body composition measurements * Blood test results, including HbA1c and cholesterol levels * Age, sex, and other demographic information
• Pediatric patients 6-18 years of age who received care at the Pediatric Endocrinology Diabetes Prevention and Fitness Clinic between January 1 and December 31, 2026.
• BMI ≥95th percentile for age and sex, consistent with the definition of pediatric obesity.
• Documented results from cardiorespiratory fitness testing and/or handgrip strength testing.
• Documented HbA1c value, when available.
• Sufficient medical record information to determine ASD status and the primary study outcomes.