Journal Article

Changes in Food Selectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Maslin, Melissa, Anderson, Sarah E., Must, Aviva, Curtin, Carol, Phillips, Sarah, Bandini, Linda G.

2017

Overview

Food selectivity is a common problem in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and has an adverse impact on nutrient adequacy and family mealtimes. Despite recent research in this area, few studies have addressed whether food selectivity present in children with ASD persists into adolescence. In this study, we assessed food selectivity in 18 children with ASD at two time points (mean age = 6.8 and 13.2 years), and examined changes in food selectivity. While food refusal improved overall, we did not observe an increase in food repertoire (number of unique foods eaten). These findings support the need for interventions early in childhood to increase variety and promote healthy eating among children with ASD.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adolescent / Adolescents / Age Differences / Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorder - diagnosis / Autism Spectrum Disorder - psychology / Autism Spectrum Disorders / Autistic children / Behavior / Behavior Problems / Behavior Rating Scales / Behavioral Science and Psychology / Body Mass Index / Care and treatment / Change / Child / Child and School Psychology / Child development / Childhood / Children / Childrens health / Complications and side effects / Developmental disabilities / Early intervention / Eating / Eating - psychology / Eating disorders in children / Eating Habits / Families & family life / Female / Follow-Up Studies / Food / Food and nutrition / Food consumption / Food Preferences - psychology / Food refusal / Food selection / Fruits / Healthy food / Humans / Male / Meals - psychology / Neurosciences / Nutrition research / Original Paper / Parents & parenting / Pediatrics / Pervasive Developmental Disorders / Psychology / Public Health / Questionnaires / Refusal / Risk factors