Nucleus of Behavior Theory Research, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66087-110, Brazil.
Nutrients. 2024 Feb 4;16(3):452. doi: 10.3390/nu16030452.
There is no single pattern for the evolution of the nutritional status of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous studies have found a tendency towards food selectivity with food monotony and difficulties with food texture in children with ASD, but studies in this area, especially in Brazil, are still scarce. The nutritional profile and changes in eating behavior were analyzed in patients with autism spectrum disorder assisted at a reference center in Belém. Eating behavior was assessed using the Labyrinth Scale, nutritional status assessment through weight and height (to calculate body mass index-BMI), and consumption food through the 24 h reminder. A total of 80 children of both sexes participated in the study, the majority of whom were male (80%), 47.5% eutrophic, while for the food consumption of the children evaluated, there was an average energy consumption of 1911 kcal daily, with 57.3%, 15.4%, and 27.3% of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, respectively. In relation to eating behavior, the highest averages were demonstrated in the domains of food selectivity, behavioral aspects, and mealtime skills. Masticatory motor scores showed a positive correlation with weight, BMI, and the amount of energy consumed by the child. The gastrointestinal symptoms score showed a negative correlation with the child's age. Regarding mealtime skills, a negative correlation was observed with the proportion of carbohydrates in the diet and a positive correlation with the proportion of lipids consumed in the children's diet. Therefore, knowing the main changes in eating behavior is important to ensure a complete and safe approach for each patient.
自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童的营养状况演变没有单一模式。以前的研究发现，ASD 儿童存在食物选择性、食物单调和质地困难的趋势，但该领域的研究，尤其是在巴西，仍然很少。本研究分析了在贝伦的一家参考中心接受治疗的自闭症谱系障碍患者的营养状况和饮食行为变化。采用迷宫量表评估饮食行为，通过体重和身高评估营养状况（计算体重指数-BMI），通过 24 小时提醒评估食物摄入量。共有 80 名男女儿童参与了这项研究，其中大多数是男性（80%），47.5%为营养良好，而对于评估的儿童食物摄入情况，平均每天摄入 1911 卡路里的能量，其中碳水化合物、蛋白质和脂肪分别占 57.3%、15.4%和 27.3%。关于饮食行为，在食物选择性、行为方面和进餐技能方面表现出最高的平均水平。咀嚼运动评分与体重、BMI 和儿童消耗的能量呈正相关。胃肠道症状评分与儿童年龄呈负相关。关于进餐技能，与饮食中碳水化合物的比例呈负相关，与儿童饮食中脂肪的比例呈正相关。因此，了解饮食行为的主要变化对于确保每位患者获得全面和安全的治疗非常重要。
