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Child Eating Behaviors and Caregiver Feeding Practices in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Author(s) -
Kral Tanja V. E.,
Souders Margaret C.,
Tompkins Victoria H.,
Remiker Adriane M.,
Eriksen Whitney T.,
PintoMartin Jennifer A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12146
Subject(s) - autism spectrum disorder , waist , autism , medicine , sensory processing , sensory system , typically developing , cross sectional study , clinical psychology , pediatrics , developmental psychology , psychology , audiology , obesity , psychiatry , pathology , cognitive psychology
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.

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