title: Feeding behavior and dietary intake of male children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A case-control study.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with restrictive or repetitive behaviors and difficulties with verbal and interpersonal communication, in which some problems involving nutrition may be present. This study aims to evaluate dietary intake and identify feeding behavioral problems in male children and adolescents with ASD when compared to matched controls, as well as parents or caregivers' feelings about strategies for dealing with eating problems. A 3-day food record was performed and nutrient intake was compared to the Dietary Reference Intake according to age. To evaluate children feeding behavior and parents or caregivers' feelings, the Behavior Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFA) was used. ASD patients consumed in average more calories than controls (though with a high patient's frequency above and below calorie range references), had a limited food repertoire, high prevalence of children with inadequate calcium, sodium, iron vitamin B5, folate, and vitamin C intake. BPFA scores were also higher in the ASD group when compared to controls for all frequencies (child behavior, parents and total). These findings lead us to endorse the importance of evaluating feeding problems in the clinical routine, considering also the singular features of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Food and NutritionResearch Centre (CESAN), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Electronic address: kamilacastro@hotmail.com.br.
authors.forename: Kamila
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Food and NutritionResearch Centre (CESAN), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Larissa Slongo
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Faccioli
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baronio
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carmem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gottfried
authors.affiliation: Food and NutritionResearch Centre (CESAN), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Collective Health, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ingrid Schweigert
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Child Neurology Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rudimar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riesgo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Children and adolescents; Dietary intake; Feeding behavior