Does parental nutrition knowledge affect gastrointestinal symptoms and dietary intake in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between parental nutrition knowledge levels and the gastrointestinal symptoms and dietary intakes of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 children under the age of 18, diagnosed with ASD, and their parents living in Kütahya, Türkiye. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI), the Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale for Adults (NKLSA), anthropometric measurements, and a 24-hour dietary recall. Among the participating children, 39.2% (n = 47) were girls, with a mean age of 9.04 ± 3.3 years. Most parents (84.2%) reported that their children experienced feeding-related problems. The most frequently reported issues were food refusal (48.3%), neophobia (37.5%), and loss of appetite (28.3%). A statistically significant difference was found between mothers’ NKLSA category and the variables of monthly income, maternal education, the child’s sleep pattern, use of dietary supplements, and food refusal. As maternal nutrition knowledge increased, the child’s GSRS score decreased (p=0.004). In addition, the GSRS subscales of abdominal pain and indigestion showed statistically significant differences according to the mother’s NKLSA category. It was determined that children’s total BAMBI scores did not differ significantly according to the mothers’ level of nutrition knowledge. The findings suggest that health problems co-occurring with autism may complicate the nutritional status of children with ASD. Therefore, developing nutrition education programs for parents could be of paramount importance in supporting the optimal growth, development, and overall well-being of children with ASD.