Autism and weight problems...

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What I notice usually (there are ALWAYS exceptions), is that in general, people in autism spectrum disorders tend to either be overweight or underweight, but not commonly "ideal" weight. I know that is not always the case. But its just I notice from watching quite a few online or people I encounter. I am one of those prone to be overweight, yet kind of muscular, which is not common among the autism spectrum. Does this seem to be related to it, or just a coincidence?

I wouldn't be very surprised if that turned out to be merely a coincidence.

I'm underweight, but quite muscular also.
Overweight or underweight could be due to food obsessions/aversions.
For example I have aversions to sweet foods, packaged foods and grains, so that would influence my weight.

I was always underweight until my late 20s but that was purely due to the fact that I didn't eat when I was younger. Probably due to stress and other things that were going on.

But now I'm about average weight for my height and age.

Underweight and stronger than I look, usually. I did go into BMI overweight territory for a year. I feel and look the best at the very top of my BMI healthy range. I can handle cold temperatures better, have more energy, and my mood stabilizes when I get good nutrition and stay active. I can also have bad nutrition occasionally without much worry.

I'm obsessed with vegetables and poached eggs.

I've never had a poached egg in my life.

I've had fried, scrambled and boiled and I've even had an omelette.

But I've never had one poached.

I like eggs in soup

Boiled, fried, scrambled or poached?

Dropped into the simmering soup, like egg drop soup

A scramble-poach

Mmmmm very eggzotic.

I might bare that in mind for when I have soup one time.

It gives the broth extra umami.

Back on topic, I only eat eggs when I need extra calories. I have gotten into the habit of eating them, but I'd rather have them as a treat since they work great as fuel.

Part of my obsession is getting the poached egg "just right".

Another reason for weight issues amongst autistics could be due to executive functioning i.e. trouble with cooking so buying more takeaway/prepackaged foods, or skipping meals altogether.

Also, autistic people can forget to eat when focused on special interests.

I probably wouldn't eat very much if it wasn't for my daughter living with me.

She's far more interested in food than me.

I do enjoy talking about food quite a lot though for some reason.

I'm about ideal weight. But have been through all. Was overweight as a kid and underweight as a teenager, anorexic when I was 19-21. Underweight again until in the last couple of months I put on some weight. My bmi is in the normal range now.

Last edited by komamanga on 19 Sep 2017, 4:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.

My ideal weight is 140 lbs. I also have body dysmorphia so I don't like the size of my body so I think i am always fat and refuse to weigh that much. Telling me i am too thin even though my BMI is normal makes me feel I am supposed to be big.