Eating behaviors in autism

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at substantially elevated risk of developing obesity (Curtin et al., 2014), which cascades to negatively impact their broader health (Sharp et al., 2013). Specifically, children with ASD often consume increased amounts of highly caloric foods in comparison to their non-ASD peers, leading to the development of obesity as they enter into adolescence and adulthood (Sharp et al., 2013). The mechanisms contributing to and driving these adverse health outcomes are unclear. Appetitive traits, such as food fussiness, likely play a role. The purpose of this study is to examine appetitive traits via parent report in children with ASD.