title: Nutritional deficiencies and overweight prevalence among children with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk of developing nutritional deviations. Three to six year old children with ASD were compared to their typically developing siblings and to a typically developing age and gender matched control group, in order to evaluate their intake and body mass index. Nutrient intake was compared to the Dietary Reference Intake using three-day diet diaries completed by the parents. The sum percentage of nutritional deficiencies in the ASD group compared to the typical development group was 342.5% (±122.9%) vs. 275.9% (±106.8%), respectively (P=0.026). A trend toward higher deficiency in the ASD group was observed as compared to the sibling group 363% (±122.9%) vs. 283.2% (±94.7%) (P=0.071). A higher body mass index was found in the ASD group compared to their counterparts, despite their nutritional deficiencies. In conclusion, children with ASD are more likely to suffer from nutritional deficiencies despite higher body mass index.
authors.affiliation: Child Development Center, Edmond and Lily Safra Children Hospital, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Sackler Medical Faculty, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: yael.shmaya@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shmaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Sackler Medical Faculty, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Zinman College for Physical Education & Sports, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel.
authors.forename: Sigal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eilat-Adar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Leitner
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reif
authors.affiliation: Child Development Center, Edmond and Lily Safra Children Hospital, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gabis
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D002149:Energy Intake; D019959:Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D035781:Siblings
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Dietary intake; Eating difficulties; Nutritional deficiencies