The study conducts a case control analysis of the nutritional status and intake of autistic spectrum disorder diagnosed children as compared to typically developing children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It included analysis of anthropometric measurements, three days food diary food intake, urinary iodine analysis, childhood autism rating scale diagnosis, food frequency and eating behavior questioner and proximate analysis of one day major meals of selected subjects.
Sample population was Addis Ababa city in which subjects were selected from one of the two autism centers in the country. Random sampling method was applied to select subject from the total enrolled children in the center using Ryan 2013 sample size calculation formula. Subjects already diagnose with autistic spectrum disorder that didn't have any other chronic disease that affect diet and nutrition were included in the study. Subjects were selected randomly from each grade level in the center. They were registered and taken for data collection. Sample and Data was collected with the help of each child's center caregiver and parent. Childhood autism rating scale diagnosis, eating behavior analysis were analyzed for the ASD and anthropometric indices Z scores, urine iodine concentration, three days food diary analysis, major meals proximate analysis, food frequency and dietary diversity was assessed and compared to typically developing children in Addis Ababa. Data entry and analysis was conducted using Emergency Nutrition Assessment software, Microsoft excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
52
Nutritional status of children as analyzed by anthropometric indices was under study
The eating behavior of ASD children as analyzed by frequency of refusal of new food, sensitivity to food, food allergy and gastrointestinal systems was under study
the 24 urine iodine concentration of all subjects was under study
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Body Mass Index for age z-scores
Body Mass Index and age will be combined to report Body mass index for age z-score in Kg/m2 for age in months
Time frame: 1 day
Height for age z-scores
Height and age will be combined to report height for age z-scores in centimeter for age in months
Time frame: 1 day
Weight for age z-scores
weight and age will be combined to report weight for age z-scores in kg for age in months
Time frame: 1 day
Zinc intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of zinc in mg/day
Time frame: 5 days
Energy intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of energy in kcal/day
Time frame: 5 days
Protein intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of protein in gm/day
Time frame: 5 days
Lipid intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of lipid in gm/day
Time frame: 5 days
Carbohydrate intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of carbohydrate in gm/day
Time frame: 5 days
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The nutrient intake as analyzed by three days food diary and major meal proximate analysis of subjects was under study
The food frequency and dietary diversity of all subjects as analyzed by food frequency questioner, dietary diversity score and food variety score was under study
The autistic severity of ASD diagnosed children was under study as analyzed by childhood autism rating scale diagnosis
Calcium intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of calcium in mg/day
Time frame: 5 days
Iron intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of Iron in mg/day
Time frame: 5 days
Thiamine intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of Thiamine in mg/day
Time frame: 5 days
Vitamin C intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of vitamin C in mg/day
Time frame: 5 days
Vitamin B2 intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of vitamin B2 in mg/day
Time frame: 5 days
Niacin intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of niacin in mg/day
Time frame: 5 days
Vitamin A intake using three days food diary questioner
Three days food diary questioner will be used to report intake of vitamin A in mg/day
Time frame: 5 days
Urine iodine concentration of children
Urine iodine concentration of children in µg /L
Time frame: 2 month
Autism symptom severity of children using Childhood Autism rating Scale diagnosis
Childhood autism rating scale assessed by total raw scores by age. for age 0-12, scores of 15-29.5 indicate limited behavior related to autism, score of 30-36.5 indicate mild to moderate level of behavior related to autism, score 37-60 indicate sever level behavior related to autism. for age 13 years and older, 15-27.5 indicate limited behavior related to autism, score of 28-34.5 indicate mild to moderate level of behavior related to autism, score 35-60 indicate sever level behavior related to autism.
Time frame: 2 days
energy intake using proximate analysis of one day major meals
proximate analysis of one day major meals will be used to report intake of energy in k cal /100gm
Time frame: 2 months
Ash intake using proximate analysis of one day major meals
proximate analysis of one day major meals will be used to report intake of Ash in gm/100gm
Time frame: 2 months
Lipid intake using proximate analysis of one day major meals
proximate analysis of one day major meals will be used to report intake of lipid in gm/100gm
Time frame: 2 months
protein intake using proximate analysis of one day major meals
proximate analysis of one day major meals will be used to report intake of protein in gm/100gm
Time frame: 2 months
Carbohydrate intake using proximate analysis of one day major meals
proximate analysis of one day major meals will be used to report intake of carbohydrate in gm/100gm
Time frame: 1 week
frequency of food group consumption using food frequency questioner
percentage of children consuming from each food groups using a food frequency questioner
Time frame: 5 days
dietary diversity score of children using three days food diary
consumption of 1-3 food groups is scored as low dietary diversity score, consumption of 4-5 food groups is scored as medium dietary diversity score, consumption of \>5 food groups is scored as high dietary diversity score.
Time frame: 5 days
frequency of food refusal in children using a questioner
frequency is scored as never to seldom, mild and sever
Time frame: 5 days
frequency of sensitivity to food
frequency is scored as never to seldom, mild and sever
Time frame: 5 days
frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms
frequency is scored as never to seldom, mild and sever
Time frame: 5 days
frequency of food allergic reactions
frequency is scored as never to seldom, mild and sever
Time frame: 5 days