Associations Among Demographic Factors, Bullying, Victimization and Weight Status Among Children with and Without Current Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the National Survey of Children’s Health

Abstract

Background: School-aged children belong to a distinct developmental stage in which bullying and weight status can have significant short- and long-term consequences, particularly for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2023 National Survey of Children’s Health (N = 17,689), including perpetration and victimization among school-aged children. Results: They were more likely to be White non-Hispanic compared to multiracial (OR 2.24; 95% CI 2.17–2.31), less likely to be female (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.38–0.41), younger [6–9 years] (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.41–0.43), from families within the 100–199% (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.39–0.42) and 200–299% (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.26–0.27) poverty level. Adjusted models indicated that children with ASD had higher odds of being underweight (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.70–1.81) or overweight (OR 3.55; 95% CI 3.37–3.73) than of being obese. They were also more likely to be victimized 1–2 times/week (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.24–1.37), but less likely to bully others 1–2 times/month (OR 0.31; 95%CI 0.29–0.33). Conclusions: These findings suggest that school-aged children with ASD may face elevated risks of victimization and unhealthy weight status.