DIETARY PATTERNS AND EATING BEHAVIOR OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
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Date
2023
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Publisher
UMT Lahore
Abstract
The aim of this study to find out the dietary patterns and to evaluate the eating behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Lahore, Pakistan. The study participant was ASD children aged 5-10years. For data collection, the sample was drawn from four autism center through the convenience sampling technique. Data regarding the participant personal history, eating patterns and eating behavior was collected through their caregivers using a Food Frequency Questionnaire and Bambi. The data revealed that from the total participant selected 61% was boys and 31% girls. The BMI for age percentile of the children was obtained according to their height and weight. Among children with autism, 22% were underweight, 13% overweight and 35% obese. The eating behavior of participant revealed that children with ASD exhibit resistive behavior at almost every meal which accounts for 22.4% of total responses. Significant proportion of children with ASD (24.08%) have preference for the same food and are not willing to try new food. FFQ show. FFQ data shows that the most calories consumed comes from egg, meat and beverage with 2.5 and 2.7 servings per week respectively. The children diet is lacking in vegetables and dairy foods. The chi square P value shows that there is no association between children BMI and Food intake.