Food Selectivity in Children with Autism: Guidelines for Assessment and Clinical Interventions

Esposito, Marco; Mirizzi, Paolo; Fadda, Roberta; Pirollo, Chiara; Ricciardi, Orlando; Mazza, Monica; Valenti, Marco

doi:10.3390/ijerph20065092

Cited by 42 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…Unfortunately, we did not collect information about possible eating behavior in the ASD children of our sample. It is well-established in the literature that children with ASD could show some issues in regard to eating behavior, specifically in food selectivity [40]. Usually food refusal is based on texture, color, and shape qualities of the food.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attention toward Social and Non-Social Stimuli in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Paired Preference Eye-Tracking Study

Congiu,

Doneddu,

Fadda

2024

IJERPH

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Different dimensions of visual attention to social (human faces) and non-social stimuli (objects) were assessed in 19 preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and 19 typically developing (TD) age, gender, and IQ-matched controls through an original paired preference eye-tracking paradigm. The present study found a significantly reduced attentional bias toward human faces in children with ASD compared to TD controls. The analysis of the total fixation time showed a significantly reduced preference for faces in children with ASD compared to TD children. Moreover, while TD children showed a significant preference for the face over the object, children in the ASD group observed the two paired pictures for a similar amount of time, thus showing no preference. Besides, children with ASD paid significantly more sustained attention to the objects than TD children. Children in the TD group paid greater sustained attention to the faces over the objects, while children in the ASD group did not differentiate between objects and faces. Finally, an age effect was found in ASD, as younger children in the group tended to prefer objects and to show more sustained attention towards them. Overall, these findings add to the literature on anomalies in attention toward social and non-social stimuli in young children with ASD compared to their TD counterparts. These results are discussed in the light of previous studies and suggest possible directions for future research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attention toward Social and Non-Social Stimuli in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Paired Preference Eye-Tracking Study

Congiu,

Doneddu,

Fadda

2024

IJERPH

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“…Food selectivity and restricted diet comprise a wide range of behaviors including restricted calorie intake, unpredictable food refusal/preference, food-related rituals or obsessions, and behavioral problems at mealtimes [3]. Transient food selectivity is common in pediatric patients but is more likely to be consistent or extreme in pediatric autistic patients [15]. According to Page et al, food restriction is estimated to be up to 89% more likely in patients with ASD compared to pediatric patients not on the autism spectrum [16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Restricted Diet in Pediatric Autism Leading to Vitamin A Deficiency and Severe Photophobia

Dixon,

Ethridge,

Tillman

et al. 2024

Cureus

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In developed countries, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains rare but is a leading cause of global blindness. We describe the case of a 10-year-old girl with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) initially presenting mild VAD symptoms, escalating to severe photophobia and reluctance to leave a darkened room due to a selfrestricted diet of fast-food french fries. A timely examination revealed severe VAD and vitamin A supplementation resolved her symptoms in three weeks. This case highlights the challenge of obtaining accurate patient history in ASD, emphasizing the need for routine dietary discussions and micronutrient testing, especially at ages nine and 13 when the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends increased vitamin A intake. Early intervention can prevent micronutrient deficiencies in pediatric patients, particularly those with ASD.

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“…Given the advances of new medications, these should also be studied in relation to any effects on choline levels/metabolites. Another important point to consider is that sensory issues and food selectivity in these population groups could further impact dietary intakes [ 105 , 106 ], including that of choline.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Choline in Neurodevelopmental Disorders—A Narrative Review Focusing on ASC, ADHD and Dyslexia

Derbyshire

Maes

2023

Nutrients

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Neurodevelopmental disorders appear to be rising in prevalence, according to the recent Global Burden of Disease Study. This rise is likely to be multi-factorial, but the role of certain nutrients known to facilitate neurodevelopment should be considered. One possible contributing factor could be attributed to deficits in choline intake, particularly during key stages of neurodevelopment, which includes the first 1000 days of life and childhood. Choline, a key micronutrient, is crucial for optimal neurodevelopment and brain functioning of offspring. The present narrative review discusses the main research, describing the effect of choline in neurodevelopmental disorders, to better understand its role in the etiology and management of these disorders. In terms of findings, low choline intakes and reduced or altered choline status have been reported in relevant population subgroups: pregnancy (in utero), children with autism spectrum disorders, people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and those with dyslexia. In conclusion, an optimal choline provision may offer some neuronal protection in early life and help to mitigate some cognitive effects in later life attributed to neurodevelopmental conditions. Research indicates that choline may act as a modifiable risk factor for certain neurodevelopmental conditions. Ongoing research is needed to unravel the mechanisms and explanations.

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Food Selectivity in Children with Autism: Guidelines for Assessment and Clinical Interventions

Cited by 42 publications

References 138 publications

Attention toward Social and Non-Social Stimuli in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Paired Preference Eye-Tracking Study

Attention toward Social and Non-Social Stimuli in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Paired Preference Eye-Tracking Study

Self-Restricted Diet in Pediatric Autism Leading to Vitamin A Deficiency and Severe Photophobia

The Role of Choline in Neurodevelopmental Disorders—A Narrative Review Focusing on ASC, ADHD and Dyslexia

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