Nutritional problems and body mass index of Turkish children with autism

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Asil E., Uçar A., Tunay Ç. Z., Bütün Ayhan A.

Nutrition and Food Science, cilt.52, sa.6, ss.1029-1041, 2022 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 52 Sayı: 6
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1108/nfs-12-2021-0389
  • Dergi Adı: Nutrition and Food Science
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Hospitality & Tourism Complete, Hospitality & Tourism Index, INSPEC, Metadex, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1029-1041
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: BMI, Turkey, Autism, Nutritional behavior, Problematic eating behaviors, Refusal food, MEALTIME BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, FOOD SELECTIVITY, FEEDING PROBLEMS, SPECTRUM DISORDER, EATING BEHAVIORS, DEFICIENCIES, NEOPHOBIA
  • Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

© 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the nutritional habits, eating behavior and nutritional status of children with autism. Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted with 60 boys and 16 girls diagnosed with autism (mean age: 8.3 ± 4.9 years). Research data were collected from parents of children with autism using a questionnaire form developed by researchers after literature searching. The height and body weight of the children were recorded, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Findings: Almost half of the children except the 13–18 age group were overweight/obese according to BMI. Difficulty in giving new food was 73.1% in the 2–5 age group, 70% in the 6–12 age group and 40% in the 13–18 age group (p = 0.04). It was determined that the children refused to consume a median of 3 (1–8) types of food (p = 0.04) and were obsessed with consuming 2 (1–4) types of food and 1 (1–4) type of beverages. Additionally, milk and dairy products were refused significantly higher between 2–5 and 6–12 years than 13–18 years (p = 0.02). Also, it was found that age had an inverse effect on refusal food number (β = 0.38, 95% CI = −0.30 − −0.08, p = 0.01). In conclusion, obesity and nutritional problems such as food selectivity, food refusal and obsessive eating behavior are encountered in children with autism which affect children socially and physically and should not be ignored when planning the treatment of children with autism. Research limitations/implications: The lack of a control group to compare the results of children with autism is an important limitation of the study. Originality/value: This study fulfills a defined need to examine and evaluate Turkish children’s nutritional status, nutritional habits and eating behavior with autism.