Evaluation of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and Nutrition-Related Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A...

This study aimed to compare the prevalence of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) between children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and typically developing children (TDC) and to examine the influence of ASD on the development of ARFID.

The sample included 25 children diagnosed with ASD and 30 TDC. Anthropometric measurements were taken and participants completed the Nine-Item ARFID Screen (NIAS), the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), and the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS), along with researcher-developed questions on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square and correlation analyses.

The mean age of participants was 8.02 years (± 3.28) and 61.8% were male. NIAS scores were significantly higher in the ASD group (24.2 ± 9.7) compared to the TDC group (14.17 ± 8.8). In the CEBQ, ASD children scored significantly higher in food fussiness but lower in emotional overeating, desire to drink, and enjoyment of food. NIAS scores were positively correlated with food fussiness, slowness in eating, and satiety responsiveness and negatively correlated with emotional overeating, food responsiveness, and enjoyment of food. Among GI variables, only bloating was significantly more common in the ASD group. NIAS scores were positively associated with complaints of indigestion and bloating.

Children with ASD are at higher risk for ARFID and exhibit more picky eating patterns. Increased ARFID risk is linked to greater food selectivity, slow eating, satiety responsiveness and GI symptoms such as bloating and indigestion.