Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the eating behaviors of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría
Abstract
Introduction. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties adapting to stressful situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective. To assess the impact of the first year of the pandemic on feeding difficulties in children with ASD. Population and methods. The caregivers of children and adolescents with non-syndromic ASD (age: 2-18 years) from a neurodevelopment unit were invited to participate. Participants completed a questionnaire and the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) online before and during the first year of the pandemic. A priority score (product between the average frequency and the problem) for each BPFAS item was estimated. Results. Among the caregivers, 56.6% (86/152) completed the survey (mother: 74.4%); children's median age was 6.3 years (p25-p75: 4.7-8.2); 80.2% of children were males; 58.1% continued with their therapy during the pandemic; and 61.6% had behavioral problems before the pandemic. During the first year of the pandemic, children had greater behavioral problems (34.9%) and feeding difficulties (61.6%); however, 31.4% of caregivers referred improvements in feeding. There were no significant differences in the BPFAS scores before and during the pandemic. The following items obtained the highest priority scores: gets up from table during meal, does not try new food, does not eat vegetables, does not eat fruits. Conclusions. A high frequency of feeding difficulties was noted during the first year of the pandemic. No differences were observed in feeding characteristics before and during the pandemic.
Description
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorder, Behavioral assessment scale, COVID-19, Restrictive diet, Eating disorders, Food intake disorders