Eating Patterns in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Public Health

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting social interaction and communication.
• Eating behaviors, including food selectivity, are common in children with ASD.
• Nutritional status is crucial for the overall health and development of children with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the eating patterns of children with ASD in Chile's La Araucanía Region.
• To assess food selectivity, appetite, BMI, and food consumption frequency in this population.
• To identify nutritional gaps based on daily recommendations.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 72 families with children diagnosed with ASD (ages 2-12).
• Data collected from family reports on eating behaviors and consumption patterns.
• Analysis of food selectivity, appetite, BMI, and frequency of consumption for various food groups.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of food selectivity (97.67%) was observed in children with ASD.
• Significant deficits in meeting daily recommendations for key food groups: 93.06% for fruits, 90.28% for fish, 80.56% for water, and 62.50% for vegetables.
• Alterations in the frequency of consumption for specific food groups were noted.

Conclusions:

• Children with ASD in the studied region exhibit widespread food selectivity and suboptimal dietary intake.
• Findings underscore the critical need for tailored educational interventions for families of children with ASD.
• Improving nutritional status through targeted strategies is essential for enhancing the health of children with ASD.