In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, this column explores the benefits of exercise in preventing secondary conditions such as obesity in adolescents with autism. Youth with autism often lead sedentary lifestyles (Pitetti, Yarmer, & Fernhall, 2001) and are at risk for low fitness levels and potential health problems later in life. There is evidence that exercise can improve fitness in people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities (Frey et al., 1999; Rimmer et al., 2004). Therefore, it is important to explore a variety of exercise programs and their effectiveness in improving fitness and health for these youth.

Many physical activity and recreation options exist for youth with autism (see NCHPAD fact sheet: "Autism and Considerations in Recreation and Physical Activity Settings" at http://www.ncpad.org/315/1452/Autism~and~Considerations~in~Recreation~and~
Physical~Activity~Settings) that include walking, jogging, biking, and swimming. Recent research by Pitetti, Rendoff, Grover, and Beets (2007) examined the efficacy of a treadmill walking program on exercise capacity and weight reduction for adolescents with severe autism.

To read the entire column, go to http://www.ncpad.org/549/2488/Focus~on~Secondary~Condition~Prevention~~Walking~
Program~to~Reduce~Secondary~Conditions~in~Adolescents
~with~Autism.