Feeding Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Background: Feeding problems are common in autism. Parents are frequently worried about the health status of their children, which may be threatened by some consequent nutritional deficiencies. Despite this, feeding behaviours remain little explored by clinicians working with children with autism spectrum disorders and researches are lacking especially in Tunisia. Aims: To evaluate the frequency and the types of feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorders. Settings and Design: A comparison was made between 57 children with autism spectrum disorders and 57 control groups regarding the feeding problems. Parents completed the children’s eating behavior inventory (CEBI). Autism severity is evaluated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. The SPSS statistical package, version 20.0 was used. Results: According to the CEBI, children with autism spectrum disorders showed more feeding problems than the control group (82.4% versus 56.1%, p=0.002). In fact, the parents of these children observed more pica habits on their children compared to the control group (p=0.000). They also observed more selectivity for starchy foods compared to the control group (p=0.000). The more the autistic symptoms were severe, the more children exhibited feeding problems (p=0.02). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that feeding problems are more common in children with autism. Clinical implications trigger the need for clinicians to provide the necessary assessment and treatment.

The Eating Habits Confidence Survey: Reliability and Validity in Overweight and Obese Postmenopausal Women

Background and Purpose: Psychometric properties of the Eating Habits Confidence Survey (EC) were evaluated in a sample of 86 overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Methods: Inter-item correlations and coefficient alphas of the total and subscale scores were conducted. Correlations of the EC to the Eating Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), Eating Behavior Inventory (EBI), and Binge Eating Scale (BES) were examined as approaches to concurrent and contrast validity. Results: Cronbach’s alphas were adequate for total (.83) and subscale (.64–.80) scores. Only the EC subscale “sticking to it” correlated with the other eating scales. This correlation demonstrates concurrent validity with the other scales that reflected persistence in healthy eating, and contrast validity with them in that the other scales measured different issues under the rubric of eating self-efficacy and behaviors. Conclusions: Thus, the EC performed well among a different demographic than those used during its development. This inexpensive and easily administered survey manifests credible validity and reliability. Nevertheless, evidence for its validity and reliability needs to be accrued when it is used in diverse populations.