Abstract
Eating problems, such as food selectivity or picky eating, are thought to be an epiphenomenon of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Yet eating problems are also common in the general pediatric population and overlap with ASD symptoms. However, the temporal association between ASD symptoms and eating problems is poorly understood. This study examines the bidirectional association between ASD symptoms and eating problems across child development, and investigates whether these associations differ by child sex. Participants (N = 4,930) were from the population-based Generation R Study. Parents reported their child's ASD symptoms and eating problems using the Child Behavior Checklist at 5 assessments from toddlerhood to adolescence (1.5 to 14 years, 50% girls). A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model was used to examine the lagged associations between ASD symptoms and eating problems at the within-person level, controlling for stable, trait-like differences at the between-person level. At the between-person level, there was a strong correlation between ASD symptoms and eating problems (β =.48, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.57). Controlling for these between-person effects, there was limited evidence for consistent, predictive effects of ASD symptoms and eating problems at the within-person level. Associations did not differ by child sex. Findings suggest that ASD symptoms and eating problems may represent a cluster of traits that are highly stable from early childhood to adolescence, which have a minimal reciprocal effect at the individual-level. Future research could focus on these trait-like qualities to inform the development of supportive, family-focused interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1062012 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
| Volume | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 3 May 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The general design of Generation R Study is made possible by financial support from the Erasmus Medical Center and the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMW), the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Ministry of Youth and Families. HH received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement (No. 707404). The opinions expressed in this document reflect only the authors' view. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. PJ received funding from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (Mental Health Care Research Program, Fellowship 636320005). Funding bodies has no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.
Funding Information:
The general design of Generation R Study is made possible by financial support from the Erasmus Medical Center and the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMW), the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Ministry of Youth and Families. HH received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement (No. 707404). The opinions expressed in this document reflect only the authors' view. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. PJ received funding from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (Mental Health Care Research Program, Fellowship 636320005). Funding bodies has no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
2023 Harris, Derks, Prinzie, Louwerse, Hillegers and Jansen.