Published online Sep 19, 2023. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i9.685
Peer-review started: May 7, 2023
First decision: June 21, 2023
Revised: July 11, 2023
Accepted: August 1, 2023
Article in press: August 1, 2023
Published online: September 19, 2023
There is little data on physical activity (PA), organized PA (OPA), and sedentary behaviors in children with neurodevelopmental disorders in developing countries.
In this large-scale study, we evaluated PA levels among children with neurodevelopmental disorders in the context of a developing country to help identify the groups which benefit the most from the interventions to improve PA levels, which can be a basis for future studies.
To examine OPA, non-OPA, and sedentary behaviors and their associated factors in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), cerebral palsy (CP), and intellectual disability (ID).
A total of 1020 children and adolescents with ASD, CP, and ID living in Tehran between 2011 and 2021 were assessed regarding the child and family information as well as the Children’s Leisure Activities Study Survey.
The results showed that the OPA level was significantly lower than non-OPA in all groups. Moderate to vigorous PA levels were higher among children with ASD compared to children with CP and ID.
The PA levels are lower than the recommended levels in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities living in a developing country, and there is a need for interventions to improve PA levels, especially OPA, in this group.
Future studies should focus on evaluating PA levels in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in other developing countries, and aim to design intervention to improve OPA and total PA in this group.