Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Feeding Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Rehabilitation Settings

Abstract

Background: Experiencing feeding behavioural problems in children with autism spectrum disorder often causing parents struggle to ensure proper nutrition and feeding process. It's crucial to understand the psychosocial and other factors and find out the relationship between the factors that influence it. This understanding is essential for providing comprehensive rehabilitation and support. Feeding behaviour in children with autism spectrum disorder is very challenging issue for both the children and their parents. Weight, height and body mass index are vitals for children’s growth and development. It’s important to see the association with feeding behaviour in children with autism spectrum disorder. Aim: To find out the relationship between body mass index and feeding behaviour in children with autism spectrum disorder in rehabilitation settings. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional quantitative design to conduct a face-to-face survey with parents of 70 children with autism spectrum disorder who had received rehabilitation and occupational therapy services from the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) in Savar & Mirpur and Proyash Institute of Special Education. Semi structured questionnaires and Behavioural Pediatric Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) were used to collect data on body mass index, feeding behavioural problems in children and parents perspectives. The data was analyzed using the SPSS 22 version for descriptive and inferential analysis. Results: A total number of 70 participants were included in this study. The findings showed that (70%) participants were aged 4 years to 10 years range and (30%) were ranged between 11 years to 18 years among the participants. 12 children’s BMI score is below 18.5 kg/cm2 and underweight. Equal number of children are obese whose BMI score is greater than 30 kg/cm2. 64.6% of the children frequently takes long time to finish a meal sometimes 67.3% children take junk food in unusual time that is one of the biggest problem for parents where 63.4% parents reported that children (76.55%) avoid dining table during mealtime sometimes. 36.3% parents feel problem in case of 55% times when they forced in eating of their children. Most significantly, 73.65% parents mentioned as problem that their children’s eating pattern hurt their general health. Moreover, there is no significant relation found between and BMI and feeding behaviour frequency faced by children. But there is a nice correlation found between feeding behaviour frequency and feeding behaviour problem. Conclusion: The findings suggest that BPFAS can be a standard tool for occupational therapists to detect appropriately feeding behavioural problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. It will help to find out specific feeding problems and solve the underlying issues such as feeding anxiety, neophobia, food restriction and picky eating behaviour. Keywords: Body mass index, feeding behaviour, autism spectrum disorder, rehabilitation, occupational therapy