Feeding difficulties in Asian children with autism spectrum disorder

Background: To characterize the nature and severity of feeding difficulties in Asian young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and identify potential predictors of poorer feeding outcomes. Methods: Cross sectional study of children aged 1–7 years with ASD. Parents completed the following:...

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Main Authors: Ying Qi Kang, Charmaine Min Teo, Michelle LN. Tan, Marion M. Aw, Yiong Huak Chan, Shang Chee Chong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-01-01
Series:Pediatrics and Neonatology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957221001571
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author Ying Qi Kang
Charmaine Min Teo
Michelle LN. Tan
Marion M. Aw
Yiong Huak Chan
Shang Chee Chong
author_facet Ying Qi Kang
Charmaine Min Teo
Michelle LN. Tan
Marion M. Aw
Yiong Huak Chan
Shang Chee Chong
author_sort Ying Qi Kang
collection DOAJ
description Background: To characterize the nature and severity of feeding difficulties in Asian young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and identify potential predictors of poorer feeding outcomes. Methods: Cross sectional study of children aged 1–7 years with ASD. Parents completed the following: demographic information, brief autism mealtime behavior inventory, aberrant behavior checklist (ABC), behavioral pediatrics feeding assessment scale (BPFAS) and caregiver feeding style questionnaire. Additional information (medical data, cognitive and developmental assessment results, e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second Edition, Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, etc.) were subsequently obtained from electronic medical records retrospectively by one of the study team members. Results: Of the 67 children, 28.4% had feeding difficulties (high BPFAS total frequency score). Caregiver feeding styles were authoritarian (34.8%) or indulgent (39.4%). Child characteristics did not significantly predict for the severity of feeding difficulties. Univariate analysis revealed that authoritarian feeding style (p = 0.001) and ABC hyperactivity score (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with BPFAS severity score. Multivariate analysis revealed that ABC hyperactivity score remained significantly associated with BPFAS severity score after controlling for all other ABC subscale scores. A final regression model including all child characteristics and ABC scores did not reveal any significant predictors of BPFAS total frequency score (R2 = 0.557). Conclusion: Our findings suggest an association between hyperactivity, authoritarian feeding style and feeding difficulties. Children with ASD who have significant hyperactivity behaviors in the context of parents with an authoritarian feeding style should be actively screened for problematic feeding behaviors.
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spelling doaj-art-59f73a1be00e4e60b96130fbf87c34402025-08-20T02:15:37ZengElsevierPediatrics and Neonatology1875-95722022-01-01631485610.1016/j.pedneo.2021.06.015Feeding difficulties in Asian children with autism spectrum disorderYing Qi Kang0Charmaine Min Teo1Michelle LN. Tan2Marion M. Aw3Yiong Huak Chan4Shang Chee Chong5Child Development Unit, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Corresponding author. Department of Paediatrics, NUHS Tower Block Level 12, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore.Child Development Unit, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, SingaporeDepartment of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Nutrition, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, SingaporeDepartment of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Nutrition, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, SingaporeBiostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University, SingaporeChild Development Unit, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, SingaporeBackground: To characterize the nature and severity of feeding difficulties in Asian young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and identify potential predictors of poorer feeding outcomes. Methods: Cross sectional study of children aged 1–7 years with ASD. Parents completed the following: demographic information, brief autism mealtime behavior inventory, aberrant behavior checklist (ABC), behavioral pediatrics feeding assessment scale (BPFAS) and caregiver feeding style questionnaire. Additional information (medical data, cognitive and developmental assessment results, e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second Edition, Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, etc.) were subsequently obtained from electronic medical records retrospectively by one of the study team members. Results: Of the 67 children, 28.4% had feeding difficulties (high BPFAS total frequency score). Caregiver feeding styles were authoritarian (34.8%) or indulgent (39.4%). Child characteristics did not significantly predict for the severity of feeding difficulties. Univariate analysis revealed that authoritarian feeding style (p = 0.001) and ABC hyperactivity score (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with BPFAS severity score. Multivariate analysis revealed that ABC hyperactivity score remained significantly associated with BPFAS severity score after controlling for all other ABC subscale scores. A final regression model including all child characteristics and ABC scores did not reveal any significant predictors of BPFAS total frequency score (R2 = 0.557). Conclusion: Our findings suggest an association between hyperactivity, authoritarian feeding style and feeding difficulties. Children with ASD who have significant hyperactivity behaviors in the context of parents with an authoritarian feeding style should be actively screened for problematic feeding behaviors.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957221001571asianautism spectrum disorderschildfeeding difficultiesfeeding style
spellingShingle Ying Qi Kang
Charmaine Min Teo
Michelle LN. Tan
Marion M. Aw
Yiong Huak Chan
Shang Chee Chong
Feeding difficulties in Asian children with autism spectrum disorder
Pediatrics and Neonatology
asian
autism spectrum disorders
child
feeding difficulties
feeding style
title Feeding difficulties in Asian children with autism spectrum disorder
title_full Feeding difficulties in Asian children with autism spectrum disorder
title_fullStr Feeding difficulties in Asian children with autism spectrum disorder
title_full_unstemmed Feeding difficulties in Asian children with autism spectrum disorder
title_short Feeding difficulties in Asian children with autism spectrum disorder
title_sort feeding difficulties in asian children with autism spectrum disorder
topic asian
autism spectrum disorders
child
feeding difficulties
feeding style
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957221001571
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AT marionmaw feedingdifficultiesinasianchildrenwithautismspectrumdisorder
AT yionghuakchan feedingdifficultiesinasianchildrenwithautismspectrumdisorder
AT shangcheechong feedingdifficultiesinasianchildrenwithautismspectrumdisorder