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Does food selectivity drive differences in dietary resemblance between children with intellectual disabilities and
Katherine M Rancaño1, Carol Curtin2, Aviva Must1
1Tufts University School of Medicine, MA, 02111, Boston, USA.
Appetite
|November 1, 2024
Summary
Parental influence on child diet is lower for children with intellectual disabilities plus autism (ID+A) due to food selectivity. Dietary resemblance was reduced in ID+A children compared to typically developing children, mediated by picky eating behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Pediatrics
Background:
- Parent-child dietary resemblance is common but underexplored in children with intellectual disabilities (ID).
- Food selectivity is a significant concern for parents of children with ID, potentially impacting dietary patterns.
- Understanding dietary resemblance differences across developmental groups is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare dietary resemblance between parent-child dyads with typically developing (TD) children, children with ID, and children with ID and co-occurring autism (ID+A).
- To investigate the mediating role of child food selectivity in potential between-group differences in dietary resemblance.
- To inform strategies for improving nutritional intake in children with developmental disabilities.
Main Methods:
- Dietary data were collected from 3-8 year old children and their parents using Food Frequency Questionnaires.
- Dietary resemblance was quantified as the proportion of shared food items consumed/not consumed by parent and child.
- Food selectivity was assessed via the food refusal rate, and analyzed in mother-child and father-child dyads.
Main Results:
- Dietary resemblance did not differ between children with ID and TD in mother-child dyads, but was lower in father-child dyads, mediated by food refusal.
- Children with ID+A showed significantly lower dietary resemblance compared to TD children in both mother-child and father-child dyads.
- These differences in dietary resemblance for children with ID+A were fully explained by their higher food selectivity (food refusal rates).
Conclusions:
- Food selectivity significantly reduces dietary resemblance in children with ID+A, suggesting diminished parental influence on their eating habits.
- Parents of children with ID+A may require different strategies to promote healthy eating compared to parents of children with ID or TD.
- Targeting food selectivity in children with ID+A could be key to improving their dietary intake and overall health outcomes.
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