Yvonne Lim

Dr. Yvonne Lim

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 July 2020 in Biotechnology Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
YLYvonne Lim
Yvonne Lim
YLYung Seng Lee
Yung Seng Lee
DODelicia Shu Qin Ooi
Delicia Shu Qin Ooi

1 January 2018 in Clinica Chimica Acta
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
YLYvonne Lim
Yvonne Lim
LOLizhen Ong
Lizhen Ong
TLTze Ping Loh
Tze Ping Loh
SSSunil Kumar Sethi
Sunil Kumar Sethi
ASAndrew A.J. Sng
Andrew A.J. Sng
YLYung Seng Lee
Yung Seng Lee

15 May 2025 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
WYWing Yan Yuen
Wing Yan Yuen
TLTammy Lim
Tammy Lim
SKS. V. Karthik
S. V. Karthik
YLYvonne Lim
Yvonne Lim
ETElizabeth M. Teo
Elizabeth M. Teo
KMKalyani V Mulay
Kalyani V Mulay
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with rising obesity rates. Autistic children have a higher risk of obesity than neurotypical children. Our study aims to describe the changes in overweight/obesity rates in autistic children during the pandemic, and to identify contributing factors. Methods: This is a retrospective case record review of patients with a clinical diagnosis of autism, who were seen at a developmental-behavioral pediatrics clinic in a tertiary academic hospital, between 1 January 2019 and 24 October 2021. We compared the average monthly rates of overweight/obese status pre- and during the pandemic. We collected data on the patients’ and parents’ demographics, duration of screen time per day, degree of difficulties related to autism symptoms and cognition. We analyzed factors associated with being overweight/obese during the pandemic. Results: 1330 patient visits were included. The mean age was 45.4 months; 78% were male; 52% were Chinese. The average monthly rate of overweight/obese status increased by 1.8% during the pandemic (17.9% pre-pandemic; 19.7% during pandemic). Factors associated with being overweight/obese during the pandemic included: Malay ethnicity (OR 2.321, p < 0.01), developmental delay (OR 2.80, p < 0.01), and lower parental education level (father OR 1.73, p = 0.01; mother OR 1.63, p = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, only Malay ethnicity (OR 2.95, p = 0.01) was significant. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a rising overweight/obesity rate amongst children with autism spectrum disorder during the pandemic. It also identified higher-risk patient profiles (Malay race, developmental delay, lower parental education). We hope this will facilitate the implementation of preventative health measures specifically supporting the high-risk children.