Understanding Loneliness in an Aging Population of San Vito de Coto Brus, Costa Rica.

As trends in life expectancy continue to improve, the burden of loneliness in geriatric populations on a global scale is increasing. With advancing age comes an increase in the number of life events that can perpetuate a state of loneliness such as losing a life partner, dwindling social networks, and deteriorating health conditions. This burden can manifest in a variety of mental and physical consequences.

Feasibility of a Remote-based Nutrition Education and Culinary Skills Program for Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a remote-based nutrition education and culinary skills program for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: Thirteen young adults with ASD (26.6 ± 4.

Transition of a Judo Program from In-Person to Remote Delivery During COVID-19 for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objectives: To examine the feasibility of a remote judo program for high school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Nine high school students with ASD had been participating in an in-person judo program that transitioned to a livestream format once the stay-at-home orders were mandated. The students completed surveys regarding their experience with the remote sessions.

Brief report: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviors in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: There is concern that the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively affect health behaviors in youth, especially youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to examine changes in physical activity, screen-time, and sleep in adolescents with ASD due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Nine adolescents with ASD completed surveys measuring physical activity, screen-time, and sleep duration prior to and during the pandemic.

Implementation of a school-based Fitbit program for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A feasibility study.

Background: School settings may be optimal for physical activity interventions for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, consumer-based fitness trackers may encourage youth with ASD to increase their physical activity levels, however, no studies have examined whether a fitness tracker program would be feasible in youth with ASD.

Objective: To examine the feasibility of a 12-week school-based Fitbit© program for youth with ASD.

The association among demographic factors, health behaviors and sleep quality in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: A majority of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have disrupted sleep patterns, but there has been limited research examining factors associated with sleep in this population.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare demographic and lifestyle behaviors with sleep quality in youth with ASD.

Methods: A total of 49 children (12.

Brief Report: Preliminary Efficacy of a Judo Program to Promote Participation in Physical Activity in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

To examine the preliminary efficacy of an 8-week judo program to promote moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and reduce sedentary behavior (SB) in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Fourteen children diagnosed with ASD participated in a weekly judo program over a period of 8 weeks. Participants wore an Actigraph accelerometer to measure activity levels at baseline and post-judo.

Breaking tradition: Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time of children with developmental disabilities.

Background: Children with developmental disabilities (DD) are less active and more sedentary than their typically developing peers. There is a lack of research exploring strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary time in children with DD.

Objective/hypothesis: The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to compare moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time of children with DD attending a summer day camp in modified versus traditional physical activity sessions.