Tanja V E Kral1,2, Margaret C Souders1, Victoria H Tompkins1, Adriane M Remiker3, Whitney T Eriksen1, Jennifer A Pinto-Martin1,4. 1. Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3. Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York. 4. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This pilot study compared children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing children (TDC) on weight-related outcomes and caregiver-reported child eating behaviors and feeding practices. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Cross-sectional study. Caregivers of 25 children with ASD and 30 TDC, ages 4-6. METHODS: Caregivers completed validated questionnaires that assessed child eating behaviors and feeding practices. Children's height, weight, and waist circumference were measured. RESULTS: Children with ASD, when compared to TDC, showed significantly greater abdominal waist circumferences (p = .01) and waist-to-height ratios (p < .001). Children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity exhibited greater food avoidance behaviors, including reluctance to eat novel foods (p = .004), being selective about the range of foods they accept (p = .03), and undereating due to negative emotions (p = .02), than children with ASD with typical oral sensory sensitivity. Caregivers of children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity reported using food to regulate negative child emotions to a greater extent than caregivers of children with typical oral sensory sensitivity (p = .02). DISCUSSION: Children with ASD, especially those with atypical oral sensory sensitivity, are at increased risk for food avoidance behaviors and may require additional support in several feeding domains.
OBJECTIVE: This pilot study compared children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing children (TDC) on weight-related outcomes and caregiver-reported child eating behaviors and feeding practices. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Cross-sectional study. Caregivers of 25 children with ASD and 30 TDC, ages 4-6. METHODS: Caregivers completed validated questionnaires that assessed child eating behaviors and feeding practices. Children's height, weight, and waist circumference were measured. RESULTS:Children with ASD, when compared to TDC, showed significantly greater abdominal waist circumferences (p = .01) and waist-to-height ratios (p < .001). Children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity exhibited greater food avoidance behaviors, including reluctance to eat novel foods (p = .004), being selective about the range of foods they accept (p = .03), and undereating due to negative emotions (p = .02), than children with ASD with typical oral sensory sensitivity. Caregivers of children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity reported using food to regulate negative child emotions to a greater extent than caregivers of children with typical oral sensory sensitivity (p = .02). DISCUSSION: Children with ASD, especially those with atypical oral sensory sensitivity, are at increased risk for food avoidance behaviors and may require additional support in several feeding domains.
Authors: Jeremy Parr; Lindsay Pennington; Helen Taylor; Dawn Craig; Christopher Morris; Helen McConachie; Jill Cadwgan; Diane Sellers; Morag Andrew; Johanna Smith; Deborah Garland; Elaine McColl; Charlotte Buswell; Julian Thomas; Allan Colver Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2021-03 Impact factor: 4.014
Authors: Tanja Ve Kral; Jesse Chittams; Chyrise B Bradley; Julie L Daniels; Carolyn G DiGuiseppi; Susan L Johnson; Juhi Pandey; Jennifer A Pinto-Martin; Neloufar Rahai; AnnJosette Ramirez; Laura A Schieve; Aleda Thompson; Gayle Windham; Whitney York; Lisa Young; Susan E Levy Journal: Autism Date: 2018-08-13
Authors: Shayleigh Dickson Page; Margaret C Souders; Tanja V E Kral; Ariana M Chao; Jennifer Pinto-Martin Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2021-03-05
Authors: Jason A Avery; John E Ingeholm; Sophie Wohltjen; Meghan Collins; Cameron D Riddell; Stephen J Gotts; Lauren Kenworthy; Gregory L Wallace; W Kyle Simmons; Alex Martin Journal: Neuroimage Clin Date: 2018-04-04 Impact factor: 4.881