Prevalence of Child’s Behavioural Feeding Problems, Body Mass Index and Mental Health Issues Among Parents and Children with Autism in Malaysia (original) (raw)
Related papers
Children
Atypical mealtime behaviours in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been linked with oral sensory hypersensitivity that may contribute to food selectivity and weight issues. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the association between atypical mealtime behaviours and associated risk factors besides exploring the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Malaysian children with ASD in community settings. A total of 150 children with ASD aged 3–11 years participated in this study. A self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic variables, mealtime behaviours and oral sensory processing was completed by the caregivers. The prevalence of overweight in the study samples was 18.5%, whereas obesity was 20.0%. In a multivariate analysis model, oral sensory processing (B = 0.608, 95% CI = 0.493, 0.722, p < 0.001), severity of autism symptoms (moderate and severe) (B = 2.585, 95% CI = 0.722, 4.448, p = 0.007) and younger children with ASD (B = −0.694, 95% CI = ...
2019
Eating problems may emerge during early childhood. If the eating problem is not physiological-oriented, child's relationship with its primary environment may be effective in this problem. For this reason, the aim of this study was to examine the eating habits of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typical development (TD) with regards to the variables like child’s age, parental age, and presence of siblings. Parents of a total of 180 children (90 with ASD and 90 with TD), who are enrolled in preschools, special education centers, and rehabilitation centers in Ankara-TURKEY, participated in the study. The Brief Assessment of Mealtime Behavior in Children (BAMBIC) and The Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) were used to identify children’s eating habits. In addition, a personal information form was used to gather demographic information of the participants. The data obtained from 180 parents were analyzed with the help of relevant statistical programs. Acc...
Eating Behaviors of Children with Autism—Pilot Study
Nutrients
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the most recognized neuropsychiatric disorder of childhood. Comorbid conditions (such as feeding disorders) are more common among people with autism than among the general population. The most frequent somatic disorders in autistic children include the gastrointestinal disorders observed in 46–91% of patients. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the nutrition of children with autism, with particular emphasis placed on feeding in the first year of life, in comparison to the group of healthy peers. Participants included 75 Caucasian children (41 children diagnosed with pure autism, and the control group consisting of 34 children without autistic traits). The analysis was performed based on a questionnaire of own design with the first part devoted to the eating practices of the early infancy. Results: Autistic children, as compared to the healthy peers, presented a shortened time of breastfeeding (the children fell asleep at the breast) (p ...
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2023
High prevalence of overweight and obese among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) gains attention due to its substantial adverse health impacts. This study aimed to determine the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, parental feeding practices, child eating behaviour, and dietary intake with body weight status of ASD children in Kuching Division, Sarawak. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 124 ASD children (83.9% boys and 16.1% girls) aged 2-11 years, together with their caregivers. The weight and height of ASD children were taken, and body mass index-forage z-score (BAZ) was computed using AnthroPlus software. Child feeding practices, eating behaviour, and dietary intake were assessed through interviews, with the aid of a questionnaire. Multiple binary logistic regression was used in data analysis. The prevalence of underweight, risk-of-overweight, overweight, and obese ASD children was 3.2% (3.8% boys; 0% girls), 4.8% (2.9% boys; 15.0% girls), 16.9% (17.3% boys; 15.0% girls), and 20.2% (23.1% boys; 5.0 % girls), respectively. The multiple binary logistic regression revealed that the caregivers with high perceived child weight (AOR 31.313, 95% CI=6.127-47.218), high concern towards child weight (AOR 1.774, 95% CI=1.112-2.829), and high sodium intakes (AOR 3.747, 95% CI= 1.515-9.269) were significantly associated with increased risk of overweight or obesity, explaining 37.2% of the variation in body weight status. It is important to prioritise the perspective of caregivers' feeding practices especially the caregivers with high perceived child weight and concerned child's weight as well as sodium level of the ASD children while planning for obesity intervention programmes.
Eating Behaviors of Children with Autism—Pilot Study, Part II
Nutrients
Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by social communication deficit and non-normative behavior. The people with autism often experience troubles with feeding. The purpose of this study was to conduct evaluation of the feeding and eating behaviors among children with autism. Patients and Methods: The study group included 41 high-functioning autistic children. The control group consisted of 34 children without the ASD. The questionnaire was used to assess the nutritional status. Results: The children with ASD fuss during mealtimes more frequently, they require entertaining and diverting their attention, they are fed by parents, and they consume their meals away from the table. The significant difference found in the use of utensils and food selectivity works to the disadvantage of the Study Group. Conclusions: The food selectivity occurs significantly more frequently among children with ASD. The feeding and eating problems should be considered on a wider scale. The cooperation o...
Nutrition Related Behavior Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Feeding is an essential function which affects life quality of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Approximately, 80% of the ASD patients have some feeding difficulties. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of behavioral feeding problems in ASD. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 30 individuals with ASD referred to speech and language pathology clinic were included using random sampling. To gather the data, Screening Tool of feeding Problems (STEP) was used. Data analysis was done through SPSS. The findings of the study indicated that all subjects were somehow involved with behavioral feeding problems Findings indicate that in autism children, behavioral feeding problems were prevalent. These problems will be treated by opportune identification.
2019
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects the ability of a person to communicate and relate to others. Its symptoms can be conceptualized along a continuum ranging from mild to severe expression. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) of higher symptom severity exhibit different behaviors and characteristics compared to their counterparts of lower symptom severity. To date, there is limited nutrition-related study in children with ASD of different autism severity in Malaysia. Most of the previous local studies on ASD in Malaysia focused on education, engineering, information technology, medical, and psychology. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associations between sociodemographic factors, parental factors, and lifestyle factors with autism severity in children with ASD at a selected autism intervention center in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 224 children with ASD (82.6% boys and 17.4% girls) with a mean age of 5.19 ± 0.87 years and their mothers participated in this study. Mothers completed a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic background, autism severity, parenting style, parental feeding practices, parenting stress, child sleep habits, and child eating behaviors. A 3-day food diary was recorded by the mothers at home to determine dietary adequacy of their children. Body weight and height of the children were measured by the researcher in the center. The Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) was used to measure autism severity. Results showed that the mean score of the SCQ was 20.12 ± 6.93, ranging from 3 to 38. Majority of the children with ASD in this study (78.1%) were in the high level of autism severity. In term of nutritional status, the prevalence rates of underweight, stunting, wasting/thinness, and overweight/obesity were 9.3%, 8.0%, 4.0%, and 21.5%, respectively. More than half of the children with ASD did not meet the recommended nutrient intake (RNI)
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2016
Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disabilities associated with deficits in communication skills. The distinct behavioral and physical characteristics of ASD can make these individuals more vulnerable to obesity. This study evaluated the prevalence of obesity in a group of ASD children and investigated their dietary habits, and mealtime behavior. Parental perception and awareness associated with overweight and obesity was evaluated. Data was collected from 65 student-respondent dyads in a cross-sectional survey of students enrolled at the Kuwait Center for Autism. Fifty-nine percent respondents reported regular measurement of their children's height and weight. Both healthy (daily breakfast, daily milk intake, frequent consumption of fish and seafood, and consuming fruits and vegetables) and unhealthy (consuming fast foods) dietary habits were reported by majority of respondents. Most respondents (78%) felt that their children ate a varied diet. Mood swings and hyperactivity were commonly reported mealtime behaviors in students. The findings suggest that obesity is common in children and youth with ASD in Kuwait. Monitoring and modification of dietary habits and mealtime behavior should be implemented toward tackling the problem of overweight and obesity in this population.
Eating and Mealtime Behaviors in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Current Perspectives
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social and communication skills and repetitive and restrictive behaviors. Children and adolescents with ASD are more likely to present feeding problems than their typically developing peers are. The present narrative review of literature aims to highlight the most recent evidence about epidemiology and presentations of eating and mealtime behavioral abnormalities in ASD from infancy to adolescence. Abnormalities in breastfeeding and acceptance of complementary foods have been described by most of the studies evaluating ASD early feeding history. Among the various eating and mealtime behaviors identified in ASD children and adolescents, the most common was food selectivity. The present review also provides brief overviews of the various aspects of food that may influence food acceptance by ASD patients and of the correlation between eating problems and ASD core symptoms, as well as with cognitive level, language skills, and family environment. However, studies evaluating eating problems in ASD children and adolescents are very heterogeneous and they show methodological differences. Moreover, the absence of unique definitions of eating and mealtime behaviors in ASD further limits the comparability of studies.