Dietary Patterns and Weight Status in Italian Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children

doi:10.3390/nu13114039

. 2021 Nov 12;13(11):4039.

doi: 10.3390/nu13114039.

Dietary Patterns and Weight Status in Italian Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children

Benedetta Raspini¹, Margherita Prosperi^{2

3}, Letizia Guiducci⁴, Elisa Santocchi², Raffaella Tancredi², Sara Calderoni^{2

3}, Maria Aurora Morales⁴, Mariangela Morelli¹, Meg Simione⁵, Lauren Fiechtner^{6

7}, Filippo Muratori^{2

3}, Hellas Cena^{1

8}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, Neurosciences, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Human Nutrition, University of Pavia, Via Agostino Bassi, 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
² Developmental Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy.
³ Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
⁴ Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
⁵ Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
⁶ Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
⁷ Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
⁸ Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Service, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.

PMID: 34836294
PMCID: PMC8617730
DOI: 10.3390/nu13114039

Dietary Patterns and Weight Status in Italian Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children

Benedetta Raspini et al. Nutrients. 2021.

. 2021 Nov 12;13(11):4039.

doi: 10.3390/nu13114039.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, Neurosciences, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Human Nutrition, University of Pavia, Via Agostino Bassi, 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
² Developmental Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy.
³ Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
⁴ Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
⁵ Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
⁶ Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
⁷ Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
⁸ Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Service, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.

PMID: 34836294
PMCID: PMC8617730
DOI: 10.3390/nu13114039

Abstract

Atypical eating habits are more common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) than typically developing (TD) peers. Feeding problems may lead to the double burden of specific nutrient deficiencies and excessive weight gain, with a consequent increase in obesity prevalence. The dietary intake of Italian preschoolers with ASD compared to their TD peers and the impact of their dietary choices on their weight status and relationship to food selectivity (FS) were investigated. Dietary patterns and their associations with body mass index (BMI) were evaluated in 65 children with ASD and 82 peers with TD aged 1.3-6.4 years. Eating habits were assessed with a modified version of a parent-rated semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Moreover, the prevalence of FS and possible links with dietary patterns and BMI were investigated in the ASD group. Children with ASD consumed significantly higher amounts of simple sugars, processed and ultra-processed carbohydrates, both low- and high-fat animal proteins, and lower amounts of vegetables and fruits compared to peers with TD. The obesity rate was 1.5% in children with TD and more than fourfold (6.2%) in children with ASD, although the difference between groups was not statistically significant. FS was significantly more frequent in children with ASD than in peers with TD. Children with ASD and FS showed significantly lower annual intakes of vegetable proteins and fiber (considered essential nutrients for a healthy diet) than children with ASD without FS. Our results showed that children with ASD showed different dietary habits than those with TD, with the higher consumption of energy-dense foods and lower amounts of food-sourced fibers, which could place them at increased risk to develop overweight, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies later in life.

Keywords: BMI z-score; autism spectrum disorder; eating habits; food selectivity; obesity; pediatrics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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References

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[1] Narzisi A., Posada M., Barbieri F., Chericoni N., Ciuffolini D., Pinzino M., Romano R., Scattoni M.L., Tancredi R., Calderoni S., et al. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a large Italian catchment area: A school-based population study within the ASDEU project. Epidemiol. Psychiatr. Sci. 2018;29:1–10. doi: 10.1017/S2045796018000483. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[2] Narzisi A., Posada M., Barbieri F., Chericoni N., Ciuffolini D., Pinzino M., Romano R., Scattoni M.L., Tancredi R., Calderoni S., et al. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a large Italian catchment area: A school-based population study within the ASDEU project. Epidemiol. Psychiatr. Sci. 2018;29:1–10. doi: 10.1017/S2045796018000483. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[3] American Psychiatric Association . Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; Washington, DC, USA: 2013.

[4] American Psychiatric Association . Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; Washington, DC, USA: 2013.

[5] Ledford J.R., Whiteside E., Severini K.E. A systematic review of interventions for feeding-related behaviors for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Res. Autism Spectr. Disord. 2018;52:69–80. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2018.04.008. - DOI

[6] Ledford J.R., Whiteside E., Severini K.E. A systematic review of interventions for feeding-related behaviors for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Res. Autism Spectr. Disord. 2018;52:69–80. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2018.04.008. - DOI

[7] Sharp W.G., Berry R.C., McCracken C., Nuhu N.N., Marvel E., Saulnier C.A., Klin A., Jones W., Jaquess D.L. Feeding Problems and Nutrient Intake in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-analysis and Comprehensive Review of the Literature. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 2013;43:2159–2173. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1771-5. - DOI - PubMed

[8] Sharp W.G., Berry R.C., McCracken C., Nuhu N.N., Marvel E., Saulnier C.A., Klin A., Jones W., Jaquess D.L. Feeding Problems and Nutrient Intake in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-analysis and Comprehensive Review of the Literature. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 2013;43:2159–2173. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1771-5. - DOI - PubMed

[9] Mari-Bauset S., Zazpe I., Mari-Sanchis A., Llopis-Gonzalez A., Morales-Suarez-Varela M. Food selectivity in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. J. Child Neurol. 2014;29:1554–1561. doi: 10.1177/0883073813498821. - DOI - PubMed

[10] Mari-Bauset S., Zazpe I., Mari-Sanchis A., Llopis-Gonzalez A., Morales-Suarez-Varela M. Food selectivity in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. J. Child Neurol. 2014;29:1554–1561. doi: 10.1177/0883073813498821. - DOI - PubMed

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Dietary Patterns and Weight Status in Italian Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children

Affiliations

Dietary Patterns and Weight Status in Italian Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children

Authors

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Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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