Eating behaviors in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders: associations with developmental and behavioral features and parental mental health
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Eating problems are highly prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, their profile during the preschool period-a critical window for establishing lifelong eating habits-remains poorly understood. This study aimed to compare the eating behaviors of preschool children with ASD and typically developing (TD) peers and to identify associated developmental, behavioral, and parental factors during this formative stage. Methods: This case-control study included 50 preschool children with ASD (aged 2-6 years) recruited from a child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic and 43 age-matched TD children recruited from family health centers. ASD diagnoses were confirmed by child and adolescent psychiatrists according to DSM-5 criteria. Parents completed the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Child assessments included the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory (ADSI). Group differences were examined using univariate analyses and multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA). Within the ASD group, correlations and multivariable linear regressions examined associated factors. Complete-case sensitivity analyses were performed for variables with missing data. Results: =0.431, adjusted p=0.066). Fine motor and cognitive-language developmental levels showed nominal associations with specific eating behavior dimensions in multivariable regressions (β=-0.333 to 0.404, p=0.012-0.043), but none remained significant after FDR correction. Complete-case analyses yielded generally similar effect estimates, with no regression associations surviving FDR correction. Conclusion: Parent-reported CEBQ dimensions did not differ significantly between preschool children with ASD and TD peers. Within the ASD group, developmental and behavioral characteristics showed potential associations with specific eating behaviors; however, these findings did not consistently withstand multiple-testing correction. Given the cross-sectional design and relatively small sample, the findings should be interpreted cautiously and require replication in larger longitudinal studies.
Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry
Institution: Necmettin Erbakan University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7222154979