In this narrative literature review, studies that have examined the phenomenon of food selectivity and nutritional intake in children with ASDs are reviewed. Furthermore, food selectivity has not been operationally defined in a consistent manner and has been used to refer to picky eating, frequent food refusals, limited repertoires of foods, excessive intake of a few foods, and selective intake of certain food categories such as carbohydrates. Picky eating, also referred to as food selectivity, is a significant problem because it may be associated with inadequate nutrition as a result of the restricted diet ( 6– 12).ĭespite considerable anecdotal evidence and case reports to support that food selectivity is a significant problem in children with ASDs, only a few empirical studies have compared food intake and eating patterns of children with ASDs to that of typically developing children or other clinical populations.
Management of food selectivity and concerns about dietary adequacy have been found to be a major reason for referral of children for nutrition services ( 5). Parents of children with ASDs often report that their children are highly selective eaters, with very restricted repertoires of food acceptance that may be limited to as few as five foods. Parents also frequently express concern related to mealtimes. Parents of children with ASDs report many challenges with children’s daily activities, behavior, and communication. The implications of this rise in prevalence is on the scale of an epidemic, but as yet no definitive cause has been determined, and the efficacy of specific interventions are not yet clear. ASD currently affects one in 150 children in the US ( 4), a prevalence that has quadrupled in the last 20 years. Although picky eating is not uncommon among young children who are typically developing, pickiness in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may be even more restrictive and may extend beyond the early childhood period ( 1– 3).Īutism spectrum disorders are life-long neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in three domains of functioning: social behavior, communication abilities, and restricted, repetitive or stereotyped patterns of behavior. Parents of toddlers and young children often describe their children as “picky eaters”, refusing to try or eat a variety of foods. Early childhood is a period when children experience new foods, tastes, and textures.
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