Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in children with obesity and autism
Official title: Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Handgrip Strength, and Cardiometabolic Health in Obese Children With or Without Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Run by University of Virginia · NCT07804680 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether cardiorespiratory fitness and handgrip strength differ between children with obesity who have autism and those who do not, and how these fitness measures relate to body size, composition, and cardiometabolic health.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Virginia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Charlottesville, Virginia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 5, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | January 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07804680 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are 6–18-year-olds with obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile) who have documented cardiorespiratory fitness or handgrip strength tests and ASD status in their medical records.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients lacking documented fitness tests or adequate medical records may not contribute to the analyses.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study will use existing medical records from pediatric patients aged 6–18 with obesity who were seen at the Pediatric Endocrinology Diabetes Prevention and Fitness Clinic. It will compare cardiorespiratory fitness and handgrip strength between children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and examine associations with body measurements, body composition, HbA1c, and cholesterol where available. The analysis relies on tests such as CRF testing and handgrip strength documented in records, plus demographic and laboratory data. The goal is to understand whether ASD status relates to fitness and cardiometabolic risk in pediatric obesity. No interventions are applied; the study is observational.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify fitness profiles in children with obesity and ASD, informing targeted screening and lifestyle approaches.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked higher cardiorespiratory fitness with better cardiometabolic health, but data specifically comparing children with and without ASD in the context of obesity are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 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. Exclusion Criteria: * Age \<6 or \>18 years at the time of clinical assessment. * BMI \<95th percentile for age and sex. * Absence of documented cardiorespiratory fitness or handgrip strength testing. * Insufficient medical record information to determine ASD status or primary study outcomes. * Duplicate or unusable medical records.
Where it's running
-
UVA Health
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Aaron Meadows, MMed
- Email: fzj8tx@uvahealth.org
- Phone: 434-924-0395
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.