Food selectivity in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review.

Salvador Marí-Bauset, Itziar Zazpe, Amelia Mari-Sanchis, Agustín Llopis-González, María Morales-Suárez-Varela

Journal: Journal of child neurology 2015;29(11):1554-61

PMID: 24097852

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Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by difficulties with reciprocal social interactions and restricted patterns of behavior and interest; one of these characteristic behaviors is food selectivity. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature published between 1970 and 2013 concerning this eating behavior. The articles identified were analyzed in terms of sample size, study design, and criteria for assessment and intervention, as well as the results, level of evidence and grade of recommendation. The main search was conducted in Medline, Cochrane Library, Scielo, ScienceDirect, and Embase). There is empirical evidence and an overall scientific consensus supporting an association between food selectivity and autism spectrum disorders.

Address: Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain CIBER. Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, España.; Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences and Physiology, University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain Biomedical Research Centre Network on Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.; Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Navarra Hospital Complex, Navarra, Spain.; Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain CIBER. Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, España Center for Public Health Research (CSISP), Valencia, Spain.; Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain CIBER. Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, España Center for Public Health Research (CSISP), Valencia, Spain [email protected].

DOI: 10.1177/0883073813498821