Determination of food selection, nutrition and growth status in children with and without autism spectrum disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as an umbrella term, is a single area of disability that brings together the previous diagnostic categories (autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified). The purpose of this study is; to eavaluate the food selection, nutritional habits and nutritional and growth status children with autism spectrum disorder and healthy children of the same age and gender. The study was conducted with a total of 42 children diagnosed with ASD ( n: 21) who were getting training at Gaziantep Autism Foundation and healthy children ( n: 21) of DEVA Schools Gaziantep. Questionnaires were applied to the families, and the demographic characteristics, nutritional habits and physical activity status of the children were questioned. Children's Eating Behavior Inventory (CEBI), Gastrointestinal Sensitivity Index (GI), 24-hour dietary intakes were determined. Anthropometric measurements were taken at the beginning of the study and at the end of 3-month. Body mass index (BMI), waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR), waist circumference/height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Depending on BMI z-scores 33.3% of ASD and 28.5% of healthy children were found overweight. A significant difference was found between the body fat percentages of children with ASD and healthy (p=0.020, p<0.05). Adherence of children to the Mediterranean Diet were evaluated with KIDMED index. Out of total 42,8% of children with ASD and 66,7% of healthy children were in the optimal diet (≥8 points), 42,9% of children with OBS and 33.3% of healthy children were in a diet that needs improvement (4-7 points) group and 14,3% of children with ASD are in the low-quality diet (<3 points) group. The mean KIDMED scores were 8,2±3,7 in ASD and 8,9±2,5 in healthy children (p=0,036) and adherence to optimal diet, was found higher in healthy children. According to the gastrointestinal sensitivity test constipation was observed in 29% of children with ASD, and 5% of healthy children. Out of total, 14% of children with ASD, and 5% of healthy children had diarrhea and abdominal pain. The mean stool density was found abnormal in 10% of children and, external odor different from normal in 33% of children. Also nighttime awakening, was seen in 52% of ASD children. Out of total, 14.3% of ASD children had GI severity score ≥7 (severe), (mean: ASD: 3,2±2,9, healthy: 0,8±0,7, p=0,000). The total score of the eating behavior inventory score (CEBI) in children with ASD was 93,6 and 97,9 in healthy children. Mean daily energy intakes (meeting recommendation %) of ASD children in ages 4-6, 7-11 ve 12-17 years were 1175,6±372,4 (97,9%), 1556,3±480,5 (97,3%) and 1649,9±360,1 (82,5%) kcal. ASD children's nutritional status, healthy food choices behavior and growth status should be followed by dietitians beginning from early years of life.