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Nutrient Intake and Adequacy in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: EPINED Epidemiological Study

Authors :
Arija, Victoria
Esteban-Figuerola, Patricia
Morales-Hidalgo, Paula
Jardí, Cristina
Canals-Sans, Josefa
Source :
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. Feb 2023 27(2):371-388.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

This article assesses nutritional intake and adequacy in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), subdiagnostic autistic symptoms and children with typical development (TD). In total, 77 children diagnosed with ASD, 40 with subdiagnostic autistic symptoms and 333 children with TD were assessed. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used. Very few nutritional differences were found between ASD and TD groups. Preschool children with ASD and subdiagnostic autistic symptoms had slightly lower intake of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), vitamin D and vitamin B12, and primary school children with ASD and subdiagnostic autistic symptoms had slightly higher intake of protein, cholesterol, thiamine and niacin, and a higher percentage of obesity than children with TD. All samples had an unbalanced energy intake (high in added sugars, fats and saturated fatty acids (SFAs); extremely inadequate intake (80%--100%) of vitamins D and E; high intake (50%-80%) of fibre, b-carotene (except preschool children with TD), calcium (except preschool children) and magnesium). The fact that differences between diagnoses are scarce may be related to the low level of ASD severity in this school sample.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1362-3613 and 1461-7005
Volume :
27
Issue :
2
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1364991
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221098237