Food selectivity and autism: A systematic review

Table 3 Characteristics of included studies - problematic mealtime behaviour

Study	Number and age	Objective	Measures	Specific findings
1	44 children (n = 55 with ASD; n = 91 with neurotypical children)	Assessing body composition, nutritional status through food selectivity, degree of inappropriate intake and mealtime behaviour in ASD children compared to neurotypical children	Brief assessment of mealtime behaviour in children; food frequency questionnaire; seventy-two-hour food diary; body composition and anthropometric measurements	Children with ASD showed high food selectivity, more low weight and obese children and more disturbed eating behaviour than children with neurotypical development
2	45 boys and 8 girls	Assessing the dietary patterns, food intake and behavioural problems during mealtimes of children with ASD	Indian scale for assessment of autism; standard anthropometric techniques (World Health Organisation); food frequency questionnaire; children’s eating behaviour inventory	Children with ASD are at risk of developing micronutrient deficiencies. Children present with: lack of satiety, lack of responsiveness to food and lack of enjoyment of food

ASD: Autism spectrum disorder.