Child Autistic Traits, Food Selectivity, and Diet Quality: A Population-Based Study

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Nutritional Science
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterized by food selectivity, potentially impacting diet quality.
• Autistic traits exist on a continuum, but their population-level association with diet quality is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between early childhood autistic traits and mid-childhood diet quality.
• To explore the mediating role of food selectivity in this relationship.

Main Methods:

• Population-based cohort study (n=4092) using parent-reported data on autistic traits, food selectivity, and diet quality.
• Latent Class Growth Modelling identified autistic trait trajectories.
• Multiple linear regression and mediation analysis assessed associations and indirect effects.

Main Results:

• Autistic traits in early childhood were linked to poorer diet quality in mid-childhood.
• A "high and increasing" autistic trait trajectory group showed significantly lower diet quality compared to a "low and stable" group.
• Food selectivity mediated the association between early autistic traits and later diet quality.

Conclusions:

• Early autistic traits predict poorer diet quality in childhood, with food selectivity playing a mediating role.
• Interventions focusing on nutrition for children with elevated autistic traits should incorporate strategies for managing food selectivity.