Abstract

In this study of dietary differences linked to autism, children, and teenagers on the spectrum ate fewer different foods and were less likely to eat recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables when compared to non-autistic siblings and unrelated children and teenagers. There were also family differences, in that those on the spectrum and their siblings ate more unhealthy foods and less dairy. Among those on the spectrum, dietary differences were linked to age, sex, autistic traits and sensory processing styles. Participants in this study came from two datasets: the Australian Autism Biobank (AAB) and the Dietary Intake Study in cHildren (DISH).

Citation

Mathew, N.E., Mallitt, K.A., Masi, A., Katz, T., Walker, A. K., Morris, M. J., Ooi, C. Y. (2022). Dietary intake in children on the autism spectrum is altered and linked to differences in autistic traits and sensory processing styles. Autism Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2798