Feeding difficulties in Asian children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Background: To characterize the nature and severity of feeding difficulties in Asian young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and identify potential predictors of poorer feeding outcomes.Methods: Cross sectional study of children aged 1e7 years with ASD. Parents completed the following: demographic information, brief autism mealtime behavior inventory, aberrant behavior checklist (ABC), behavioral pediatrics feeding assessment scale (BPFAS) and caregiver feeding style questionnaire. Additional information (medical data, cognitive and developmental assessment results, e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second Edition, Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, etc.) were subsequently obtained from electronic medical records retrospectively by one of the study team members. Results: Of the 67 children, 28.4% had feeding difficulties (high BPFAS total frequency score). Caregiver feeding styles were authoritarian (34.8%) or indulgent (39.4%). Child characteristics did not significantly predict for the severity of feeding difficulties. Univariate analysis revealed that authoritarian feeding style (p Z 0.001) and ABC hyperactivity score (p Z 0.006) were significantly associated with BPFAS severity score. Multivariate analysis revealed that ABC hyperactivity score remained significantly associated with BPFAS severity score after controlling for all other ABC subscale scores. A final regression model including all child characteristics and ABC scores did not reveal any significant predictors of BPFAS total frequency score (R2 Z 0.557).

Investigating the impact of autistic children's feeding difficulties on caregivers

“…When exploring the nature of feeding difficulties in our cohort of autistic children, we found that the proportion of children who experienced significant feeding difficulties (69%) was similar to those reported in previous studies (Adams et al, 2021; Kang et al, 2021). However, despite this high frequency of feeding difficulties in autistic children, it should be noted that methodological rigor varied across these studies (Sharp et al, 2013).…”

Parental Perceptions on the Importance of Nutrients for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Coping Strategies: A Qualitative Study

“…The feeding problem is the most common topic among parents regarding mealtimes. Beyond the behavioral, social, and communication difficulties, co-morbid feeding problems are a considerable challenge for parents and providers since autism spectrum disorder is linked with a wide range of feeding issues [ 50 ]. Undeniably, the prevalence rate of underweight or overweight and obese children with autism spectrum disorder is higher than the typically developing children of the same age; and it was said to be due to autistic children’s food selectivity behavior [ 12 ].…”

“…Parenting and feeding styles have a significant impact on a child’s weight and food consumption. Nonetheless, the studies are still not strong among the autism spectrum disorder population [ 50 ]. In general, parent strategies that help increase food acceptability in children consist of preparing a wide range of meals available in the household, consistently introducing the child to new and similar foods, providing positive encouragement, and parental modeling [ 63 ].…”

Autism children dietary habits in Hail, Saudi Arabia: A parents’ survey

“…Feeding obstacles are commonly encountered in children with autism and their families. Certain troubles are linked to food discernment and food refusal and are more likely focused than those related to mealtime (Bonsall et al, 2021;Kang et al, 2022). Recent studies from Saudi Arabia have shown relatively low awareness levels of autism (Sabbagh et al, 2021;Abualhommos et al, 2022;Alyami et al, 2022).…”