Consumption and food habits of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder - ASD
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Graduate student Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Nutritionist layane layane vilela marques nutritionist brazil daiane santos postgraduate student rua ja 16 qd 34 lote 02 mauricio arantes de lisboa brazil
Publication date: 2023-04-26
Popul. Med. 2023;5(Supplement):A1153
ABSTRACT
Children and adolescents with ASD have a differentiated diet with a tendency to dysfunctional and significant eating habits, compromising sensory activities that make it difficult to obtain and establish a healthy diet. This study aimed to understand the consumption and eating habits of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This is an exploratory and descriptive qualitative and quantitative research, carried out with 51 parents and guardians of children aged between 5 and 12 years old diagnosed with ASD. The research was carried out in three institutions located in the city of Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil, through a structured questionnaire in Google Forms. Indicating 6 categories: Food consumption; Eating habits; Food selectivity; Professional follow-up; Aspects and characteristics of children and adolescents; Food allergy and intolerance. The individuals with ASD surveyed have a considerable consumption of ultra-processed foods, greater acceptance of liquid and soft-textured foods, dysfunctional habits such as eating at the same times, in the same quantities and in front of screens (cell phones, tablets and televisions), they also have some alterations gastrointestinal; in addition to not having nutritional follow-up, thus leaving those responsible insecure about feeding their children. It is concluded that children and adolescents with ASD have a different diet with a tendency to dysfunctional and significant eating habits, in which each individual manifests their own eating patterns, and may also compromise sensory activities that make it difficult to obtain and establish a healthy diet.