Patterns of Food Selectivity among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by food selectivity in a significant portion of the population. The nature of this selectivity remains unclear, with hypotheses suggesting associations with sensory disorders or stereotypical and repetitive patterns of activity and interests. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and nature of food selectivity traits in individuals with ASD compared with the neurotypical population. This study involved 219 participants, with 115 diagnosed with autism and 92 without. Twelve children undergoing diagnosis were excluded from the analyses. The findings revealed that food selectivity traits are more common in individuals with ASD, with differences in preferences mainly involving structure, color, taste, and serving method. Children with ASD had more food selectivity traits than those without, and the intake of certain food characteristics could be altered as they grow. Selectivity occurred for both sensory and stereotypical reasons, but stereotypical features significantly differentiated neurotypical individuals from those with ASD.

Implicações Dietéticas No Transtorno Do Espectro Autista

“…Portanto, a ocorrência desses comportamentos alimentares disfuncionais e seu impacto significativo no estado nutricional de crianças autistas, requer uma abordagem voltada ao cuidado global e multidisciplinar. 15,16 Crianças com TEA consomem menos vegetais e mais alimentos ricos em energia, resultando em uma ingestão insuficiente de fibras em grande parte dos casos. Além disso, é comum observar deficiências de vitaminas e minerais, como cálcio, ferro, zinco, potássio, cobre, vitamina A, vitamina D, vitamina E, riboflavina, vitamina C, vitamina B-12, ácido fólico e colina.…”

Reply to Curtis, L. Comment on “Magner et al. Sulforaphane Treatment in Children with Autism: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Study. Nutrients 2023, 15, 718”

“…He highlighted that the autistic subject’s consumption of vegetables and fruits is very low. Idiosyncratic food preferences of autistic children are well-characterized by the limited variety of foods and dietary intake, resulting in turn in intestinal microbiome dysregulation, both in terms of quantitative and qualitative abnormalities [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Dr. Curtis’s call for a well-balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruits for ASD children is utterly reasonable, and we fully support it.…”