Relationship between Autistic Traits and Nutrient Intake among Japanese Children and Adolescents

Hiromasa Tsujiguchi, Sakae Miyagi, Thao Thi Thu Nguyen, Akinori Hara, Yasuki Ono, Yasuhiro Kambayashi, Yukari Shimizu, Haruki Nakamura, Keita Suzuki, Fumihiko Suzuki, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Hiromasa Tsujiguchi, Sakae Miyagi, Thao Thi Thu Nguyen, Akinori Hara, Yasuki Ono, Yasuhiro Kambayashi, Yukari Shimizu, Haruki Nakamura, Keita Suzuki, Fumihiko Suzuki, Hiroyuki Nakamura

Abstract

Increased food selectivity among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may lead to nutritional inadequacy. The present study examined differences in nutrient intake between children and adolescents with and without ASD. We utilized cross-sectional data from the ongoing population Shika Town rural Japanese study. The participants were 1276 Japanese pupils and students aged between 7 and 15 years. ASD traits were evaluated using the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ). Nutrient intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. A one-way analysis of covariance (one-way ANCOVA) was performed to compare the mean nutrient intakes between participants with and without ASD traits. A two-way ANCOVA was conducted to compare the mean nutrient intakes among participants with and without ASD traits in different age groups (children and adolescents). The results obtained showed that the intake of carbohydrates and slightly lower intakes of protein, fat, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, retinol, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, folic acid, and pantothenic acid were higher among children and adolescents with ASD than among those without ASD. No interactions were observed between the autistic groups and age groups, excluding energy intakes. The present results indicate the importance of screening the nutrient intakes of ASD children and adolescents.

Keywords: ASD; adolescents; children; nutrient.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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