Feeding Problems Common among Autistic Children

Children affected with autism are at a higher risk of many feeding problems, a new study says. According to the researchers, this occurrence can increase the risk of severe nutritional deficiency among these children, paving the way for many medical complications.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that leads to significant social, communication and behavioral changes. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in every 88 children in the United States is affected by autism.

A team of researchers from the Marcus Autism Center and Emory University School of Medicine looked at previous studies that explored feeding problems among autistic children.

A majority of the autistic children were found to be picky eaters, displaying extreme tantrums during meals. Researchers found the mealtime behavior having a negative impact on the children's overall health, since many of them were found to be falling short of many nutritional elements that are needed for a healthy growth.

Poor nutrition at childhood can lead to obesity, poor bone health and other deadly diseases, including cardiovascular disease, researchers warn parents.

"The results of this study have broad implications for children with autism," Dr. William Sharp, a behavioral pediatric psychologist in the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program at Marcus Autism Center, said in a news release. "It not only highlights the importance of assessing mealtime concerns as part of routine health care screenings, but also suggests the need for greater focus on diet and nutrition in the autism community."

Through their findings, researchers want to spread awareness about the risks associated with the trend.

"This study is the first of its kind to quantify the impact of feeding disorders in the autism population," Sharp added. "We hope that our work helps guide clinical practice, as well as provides a roadmap for future research in this area."

The results of the study have been published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

This is not the first study to highlight the health issues experienced by autistic children. In September 2012, a team of researchers from the University of Missouri found anxiety, chronic gastrointestinal (GI) problems and atypical sensory responses (heightened reactions to light, sound or particular textures) more common among autistic children.