Obesity and Autism

"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle."
– George Orwell

I recently read an article that linked autism to obesity in mothers in the Wall Street Journal, dated April 9, 2012. Researchers in this one particular study concluded that mothers that were obese are significantly more likely to have a child, either with autism or another developmental abnormality. They also  pointed out that  half the risk of autism, which is a condition characterized by poor social skills and repetitive behaviors, is genetic; while the rest stems from factors that include: older parental age, premature birth-birth complications, fewer than 12 months between children or failure to take prenatal vitamins. Obviously, the link between obesity and development disorders is worrisome because obesity has become so prevalent in the United States. Statistically, about a third of United States women, of reproductive age are considered obese.

Another researcher pointed out that the brain is quintessentially susceptible to everything that happens inside the mother’s body and that no one factor is going to be responsible for one particular case. In other words, there are a number of contributing factors. And of course doctors, right away think of meds like insulin for help or as a solution in potentially combating this disease.

Let’s step back for a moment and think about this information. Do you think that simply communicating this finding to an obese female is going to cause her think about getting pregnant or not getting pregnant, dietary? I don’t believe that information alone is the answer. I believe there a number of other considerations.

For one, obesity is often related to making poor nutritional and eating choices. And these decisions around eating began years ago. We know that every choice or every decision has consequences to some degree. It is very likely that poor choices were made without thinking realistically about all the potential or negative consequences. So, perhaps we have a history of making poor choices and not considering the consequences as one particularly important component. And likely, when an obese female of child bearing years receives this information she will likely have passed the point of no return regarding dietary choices.

This means that we also have to take into account the mothers own parenting history and her psychological development during her important growth years. Simply put, her personality and/or character develops as a result of the mothering that she received. And, during her early years, likely developed a character structure that can be considered an orally receptive personality type. With an orally receptive personality type, it’s going to be very difficult to confront and change her behavior and attitude regarding eating.

In essence, I’m saying that character development, rational decision-making with its consequences has already taken place by the time that some receive this negative (autism-obesity relationship) information. And if that’s the case, we can’t expect much change to take place during a child rearing years for obese females. Psychologically, any such program to confront this obesity problem must begin  very early in the developmental cycle. Without an early-successful intervention, I doubt that meds are going to solve this medical-psychological  by itself.

Because of the unity of the mind and body, I suggest moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding and appreciating as good starters.