NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTOR AMONG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) IN BIRATNAGAR METROPOLITAN CITY

Abstract

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among children aged 2–13 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) attending selected autism care centres in Biratnagar, Nepal, to assess their nutritional status and associated factors. Data were collected from 57 parents and caregivers using structured and pretested questionnaires, while

anthropometric measurements were taken from 92 children. Information on socio- demographic characteristics, maternal factors, child health, feeding behaviour, and

dietary intake was obtained. Feeding behaviour was assessed using the Brief Autism Mealtime Behaviour Inventory (BAMBI), and dietary intake was evaluated through a 24- hour dietary recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric indicators such as weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and body mass index (BMI) were interpreted using WHO growth standards. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 and MS Excel 2019.

The findings showed that 71.74% of the children were male, indicating a higher prevalence of ASD among boys. Food selectivity was observed in 59.65% of participants, with vegetables being the most commonly rejected food group, followed by fruits, meat, dairy products, and certain food textures. Feeding difficulties were prevalent, with 54.39% experiencing moderate and 7.02% severe challenges, while 57.89% had poor appetite. Dietary assessment revealed excessive intake of energy, protein, and fat across most age groups, whereas iron intake was inadequate among younger children aged 2–6 years. These results indicate nutritional imbalance, highlighting the need for targeted nutritional counselling and behaviour-based feeding interventions.