Dietary Challenges and Nutritional Awareness Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Survey-Based Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52783/jns.v14.1723Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Parental Nutrition Knowledge, Feeding Behavior, Food PreferencesAbstract
Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience dietary challenges, including food selectivity and sensory sensitivities, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Parental knowledge and attitudes play a crucial role in shaping children's eating behaviors, yet the extent of their influence remains underexplored.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the dietary habits of children with ASD, evaluate parental nutritional awareness, and examine the association between parental knowledge, attitudes, and feeding challenges.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among parents of children aged 4–14 years with ASD. Participants were recruited from the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, SIMATS University, and autism support centers. A validated 20-item questionnaire assessed parental knowledge, dietary habits, feeding challenges, and gastrointestinal concerns. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-Square test, multivariate analysis, and regression modeling.
Results: Parental attitudes significantly influenced children's eating behaviors, particularly food refusal and dietary variety. While knowledge alone had a limited impact, meal planning difficulties and dietary challenges strongly correlated with restricted eating patterns. Regression analysis confirmed that parental attitudes and dietary challenges were key predictors of children's food acceptance.
Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of targeted parental education programs to improve meal variety and reduce food refusal in children with ASD. Future research should explore interventions focusing on parental attitudes and strategies to manage dietary challenges effectively.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Baio J. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2014. MMWR Surveill Summ [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2025 Feb 12];67. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/ss/ss6706a1.htm
Sharp WG, Berry RC, McCracken C, Nuhu NN, Marvel E, Saulnier CA, et al. Feeding Problems and Nutrient Intake in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-analysis and Comprehensive Review of the Literature. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2013 Feb 1;43(9):2159–73.
Syam S, Maheswari TU. Knowledge, Attitude & Practice assessment regarding Oral Care in Palliative patients among Dental Graduates. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2019 May 1;11(5):1870-3.
Vignesh P, Shyam S. ASSESSMENT OF ORAL HEALTH STATUS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS ON POLYPHARMACY. InObstetrics and Gynaecology Forum 2024 May 14 (Vol. 34, No. 3s, pp. 763-768).
Food Selectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Typically Developing Children. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2010 Aug 1;157(2):259–64.
Swetah CSV, Ramakrishnan M. Dental Anxiety among Children Regarding Different Dental Treatment-Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS)-A Cross Sectional Study. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development. 2019;10(11):3668–73.
Preethy NA, Gurunathan D. Parental Perception on the Effect of Various Factors in a Dental Clinic Affecting Child’s Behaviour. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. 2021;15(1):195–200.
Dietary Intake and Parents’ Perception of Mealtime Behaviors in Preschool-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and in Typically Developing Children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2008 Aug 1;108(8):1360–3.
Vignesh DS. ASSOCIATION OF TOOTH LOSS WITH HYPERTENSION-A retrospective study. InObstetrics and Gynaecology Forum 2024 May 16 (Vol. 34, No. 3s, pp. 925-931)
Costa A, Oliveira A. Parental Feeding Practices and Children’s Eating Behaviours: An Overview of Their Complex Relationship. Healthcare. 2023 Jan 31;11(3):400.
Picky/fussy eating in children: Review of definitions, assessment, prevalence and dietary intakes. Appetite. 2015 Dec 1;95:349–59.
Birch LL. “Finish your soup”: Counterproductive effects of pressuring children to eat on intake and affect. Appetite. 2006 May 1;46(3):318–23.
Jones LR, Steer CD, Rogers IS, Emmett PM. Influences on child fruit and vegetable intake: sociodemographic, parental and child factors in a longitudinal cohort study. Public Health Nutrition. 2010 Jul;13(7):1122–30.
Savage JS, Fisher JO, Birch LL. Parental Influence on Eating Behavior: Conception to Adolescence. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics. 2007 Apr;35(1):22–34.
Mahmood L, Flores-Barrantes P, Moreno LA, Manios Y, Gonzalez-Gil EM. The Influence of Parental Dietary Behaviors and Practices on Children’s Eating Habits. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 30;13(4):1138.
Campbell K, Crawford D, Jackson M, Cashel K, Worsley A, Gibbons K, et al. Family food environments of 5-6-year-old-children: does socioeconomic status make a difference? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2002;11 Suppl 3:S553–61.
Jansen PW, Derks IPM, Mou Y, van Rijen EHM, Gaillard R, Micali N, et al. Associations of parents’ use of food as reward with children's eating behaviour and BMI in a population-based cohort. Pediatr Obes. 2020 Nov;15(11):e12662.
Maternal feeding practices and children’s food intake during an ad libitum buffet meal: Results from the GUSTO cohort. Appetite. 2019 Nov 1;142:104371.
Ramesh R, Nandan S, Krishnamoorthy SH, Antony A, Geetha R. Dental home. International Journal of Community Dentistry. 2021 Jan 1;9(1):6.
Ramesh R, Sathyaprasad S, Nandan S, Havaldar KS, Antony A. Assessment of Preappointment Parental Counseling on Dental Fear and Anxiety in Children in Pedodontic Dental Operatory: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2024 Mar;17(3):346–51.
Thanalakshme PS, Ramesh R. Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of manual and electric toothbrushes in blind children: A randomized controlled trial. J Clin Diagn Res. 2025;19(2):ZC10–ZC14.
Rakshana S, Chamarthi VR, Kalaivanan D, Krishnamoorthy S, Saleem S, Kothimbakkam SSK, et al. Best Practices in Avulsion Management - A Review : Review Article. IJPedoR. 2024 Aug 25;9(2):11–6.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
