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- Title
Early History, Mealtime Environment, and Parental Views on Mealtime and Eating Behaviors among Children with ASD in Florida.
- Authors
Gray, Heewon L.; Sinha, Sweta; Buro, Acadia W.; Robinson, Chantell; Berkman, Karen; Agazzi, Heather; Shaffer-Hudkins, Emily
- Abstract
This study was a cross-sectional study to examine problematic mealtime behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Florida. Forty-one parents completed a 48-item survey. The mean age of their children was 8.1 years and 73% were male. The data were divided and compared by age group: Ages 2–6, 7–11, and 12–17. Data from the 3- to 6-year-old children were extracted and compared with the references from Provost et al. (2010). There were age differences in eating difficulties at home (p = 0.013), fast food restaurants (p = 0.005), and at regular restaurants (p = 0.016). The total mealtime behavior score was significantly higher in early childhood (p < 0.001) and mid-childhood (p = 0.005) than adolescents. More parents of ages 3–6 with ASD reported difficulties with breastfeeding (p < 0.01); concerns about eating (p < 0.001); difficulties related to mealtime locations (p < 0.05), craving certain food (p < 0.05), and being picky eaters (p < 0.01) compared to typically developing children. The total mealtime behavior score was significantly higher in children with ASD than typically developing children (p < 0.001). The results indicate that early childhood interventions are warranted and further research in adolescents is needed.
- Subjects
FLORIDA; AUTISM; CONVENIENCE foods; EATING disorders; FOOD habits; PARENT-child relationships; RESTAURANTS; SURVEYS; EARLY intervention (Education); PARENT attitudes; CROSS-sectional method; ATTITUDES toward breastfeeding
- Publication
Nutrients, 2018, Vol 10, Issue 12, p1867
- ISSN
2072-6643
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/nu10121867