Walker A.: Obesity & Autism

Anna Walker is a specialist paediatric dietitian at Bristol Royal Hospital. She has a diverse international background, having been raised in Finland and educated in the United States, England, and Finland, with professional experience spanning Finland, Norway, England, and Cambodia. Her work focuses on dietetic care for children with obesity, particularly exploring the potential links between obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. She investigates how aspects of neurodevelopmental disorders may contribute to obesity in children and provides practical guidance on managing their diets clinically. Selected Literature:Sammels O et al. Autism spectrum disorder and obesity in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Facts 2022;15(3):305–320.Mathew NE et al. Dietary intake in children on the autism spectrum is altered and linked to differences in autistic traits and sensory processing styles. Autism Res 2022;15(10):1824–1839.Hawton K et al. Complications of excess weight seen in two tier 3 paediatric weight management services: An observational study. Arch Dis Child 2025;110(3):216–220. Dr. Walker´s favourite song: Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd  ESPGHAN favourite Songs can be found on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0YIHKjxITLEm9XNyHyypTo