Child Eating Behaviors and Caregiver Feeding Practices in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Objective: This pilot study compared children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing children (TDC) on weight-related outcomes and caregiver-reported child eating behaviors and feeding practices. Design and Sample: Cross-sectional study. Caregivers of 25 children with ASD and 30 TDC, ages 4-6. Methods: Caregivers completed validated questionnaires that assessed child eating behaviors and feeding practices. Childrens height, weight, and waist circumference were measured. Results: Children with ASD, when compared to TDC, showed significantly greater abdominal waist circumferences (p=.01) and waist-to-height ratios (p<.001). Children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity exhibited greater food avoidance behaviors, including reluctance to eat novel foods (p=.004), being selective about the range of foods they accept (p=.03), and undereating due to negative emotions (p=.02), than children with ASD with typical oral sensory sensitivity. Caregivers of children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity reported using food to regulate negative child emotions to a greater extent than caregivers of children with typical oral sensory sensitivity (p=.02). Discussion: Children with ASD, especially those with atypical oral sensory sensitivity, are at increased risk for food avoidance behaviors and may require additional support in several feeding domains.