Cristiane P Lázaro, Milena P Pondé1. 1. Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisa em Autismo (LABIRINTO), Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública (BAHIANA), Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the eating behavior of individuals with autism through their mothers' narratives. METHODS: The study of narratives was used to report on the narrators' experiences. Data on the eating habits of individuals with autism were collected using semi-structured interviews held individually with the mothers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and codified using the NVivo software program. RESULTS: Eighteen mothers of boys/young men with autism participated in the study. Analysis yielded three major categories: eating patterns, the family's attitudes to the child's eating habits, and food-related behavior. CONCLUSION: Results show that autism-related factors may affect the child's food choices. Environmental factors, particularly the parents' behavior, may also play a decisive role, both in reinforcing the child's food choices and in encouraging a healthier and more diversified diet. Professionals should instruct parents regarding their decisive role in reinforcing or discouraging inappropriate mealtime behavior in children with autism.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the eating behavior of individuals with autism through their mothers' narratives. METHODS: The study of narratives was used to report on the narrators' experiences. Data on the eating habits of individuals with autism were collected using semi-structured interviews held individually with the mothers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and codified using the NVivo software program. RESULTS: Eighteen mothers of boys/young men with autism participated in the study. Analysis yielded three major categories: eating patterns, the family's attitudes to the child's eating habits, and food-related behavior. CONCLUSION: Results show that autism-related factors may affect the child's food choices. Environmental factors, particularly the parents' behavior, may also play a decisive role, both in reinforcing the child's food choices and in encouraging a healthier and more diversified diet. Professionals should instruct parents regarding their decisive role in reinforcing or discouraging inappropriate mealtime behavior in children with autism.
Authors: Maria Jose de la Torre-Aguilar; Antonio Gomez-Fernandez; Katherine Flores-Rojas; Pilar Martin-Borreguero; María Dolores Mesa; Juan Luis Perez-Navero; Mónica Olivares; Angel Gil; Mercedes Gil-Campos Journal: Front Nutr Date: 2022-03-29
Authors: Tanner Koomar; Taylor R Thomas; Natalie R Pottschmidt; Michael Lutter; Jacob J Michaelson Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-06-09 Impact factor: 5.435