Food Selectivity And Gait In Children With Autism

Abstract

Background:Food selectivity is an emerging health concern among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Food selectivity is used to describe food refusal, limited food choices, and/or food fussiness. Method:In this context, the authors paid attention to food selectivity and its possible correlation with the food selectivity in children with autism and it’s affection on gait . This research included the parents or caregivers of pediatric patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and placed within a therapeutic clinic. The sample is composed of 50 children’s with autism.

Result:50 cases were included 20 of them had food selectivity , there is a significant difference between positive food selection and negative ones regarding weight and BMI. there is a significant association between BMI with Fruit and vegetables and both . there is a significant difference between the studied groups regarding Juice and sweetened non-dairy beverages, vegetables, and Energy-dense snacks.The results revealed that bases of support left & right, and double support left & right [1]were significantly higher among positive patients compared to negative patients. However, Cadence was significantly lower among positive patients compared to negative patients. there is a significant correlation between BMI with cadence, right & left bases of support and double support.

Conclusion: The present study revealed a number of differences in temporal parameters of  walking between positive  and negative children that could disadvantage the obese in  movement tasks. The unreliability of gait patterning observed in obese children (slower walking velocities, shorter stride lengths, and increase in base of support and longer  double support percentages) is related to body composition and is affected by speed of   walking.  Walking is a fundamental movement pattern, the most common form of physical activity. The results of this study may provide useful information to the clinician evaluating walking characteristics of child gait with autism and his food selectivity character.