Author: Williams, PG et. al.
Source: Pediatric Nursing 2000. 26(3); 259-264.
The authors of this study wanted to see if children who had autism had unusual eating behaviors that could affect their overall diet and nutrition. Using a parent questionnaire, the researchers asked specific questions about children?s appetite, food rituals (such as only eating foods with certain colors or textures, spitting food out, mouthing non-food objects etc.) and how they felt about their overall nutritional intake. The average age of the children the was 5-6 years of age and the average age at which autism was diagnosed was 2-3 years of age.
The results of the study showed a relationship between a child?s temperament and eating. Easy-going children were more often described as having a good diet versus those who were moderately fussy or very fussy. 70% of the children who had trouble with sucking (in infancy) later were more likely to eat non-edible items. 67% of the parents felt their child was a picky eater, but 60% also felt they had adequate nutritional intakes. Of interest, 30% gave their child some kind of food supplement. When evaluating the children?s eating patterns, factors that parents felt most influenced what their child would eat were textures, appearance and taste.
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