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Food Pattern, Food Selectivity and Sensory Profile in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploratory Analysis in Chilean
Fernanda Mora1, María José Manzur1, David Morales-Zepeda2
1Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 27, 2025
Summary
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Chile show higher sensory hypersensitivity linked to food selectivity. Interventions should be sensory-based and culturally adapted to improve picky eating habits.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Sensory Processing
Background:
- Food selectivity is common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often linked to sensory hypersensitivity.
- Limited research exists on food selectivity and sensory processing in Latin American populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sensory hypersensitivity and food selectivity in Chilean children with and without ASD.
- To compare sensory processing and eating behaviors between children with and without ASD.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 57 children (32 ASD, 25 controls), aged 6-12 years.
- Sensory processing assessed using Dunn Sensory Profile 2.
- Food selectivity evaluated with Brief Autism Mealtime Behaviour Inventory (BAMBI) and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).
Main Results:
- Children with ASD exhibited significantly higher sensory hypersensitivity across all domains (p < 0.001).
- Selective eating, particularly related to texture and color, was strongly associated with ritualistic eating in ASD.
- BAMBI scores correlated with oral, socio-emotional, and somatic hypersensitivity in children with ASD.
Conclusions:
- Food selectivity in Chilean children with ASD is strongly associated with sensory hypersensitivity, especially oral, socio-emotional, and somatic domains.
- Findings highlight the need for culturally relevant, sensory-based interventions to address dietary variety and mealtime challenges in ASD.
- This study provides crucial insights into the unique challenges faced by children with ASD in Latin America.
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