Comparing eating and mealtime experiences in families of children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dual diagnosis.

This study looked at mealtime challenges in families with children who have autism, ADHD, or both. Researchers surveyed 351 families and found that mealtimes are much more stressful for families with these conditions. Children were more fussy with food, ate less when upset, and showed more difficult behaviors at meals. Parents experienced higher stress levels. Children with both autism and ADHD had the most challenges. The findings suggest these families need extra support around mealtimes.

This cross-sectional survey study examined mealtime experiences among 351 caregivers of children with autism, ADHD, or both conditions compared to neurotypical controls. The study found that families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions experienced significantly greater challenges including food fussiness, emotional undereating, problematic mealtime behaviors, dietary concerns, and higher caregiver stress. Children with dual diagnosis (autism + ADHD) showed the most pronounced difficulties, with families reporting the greatest appetite issues, behavioral challenges, and stress levels. All neurodevelopmental groups had less structured mealtimes and reduced food enjoyment compared to neurotypical families, highlighting the need for targeted mealtime support interventions for these populations.

Results suggest families of children with autism, ADHD, or dual diagnosis require targeted mealtime support interventions. Clinical assessment should include evaluation of family mealtime experiences and caregiver stress. Interventions addressing food selectivity, mealtime structure, and family coping strategies may be beneficial, particularly for families with dual diagnosis children.

Study design is unclear from the abstract. Cross-sectional nature prevents causal inferences. Reliance on caregiver self-report may introduce bias. Sample characteristics and recruitment methods not fully detailed. No information provided about control group matching or demographic comparisons between groups.

Children with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may experience eating difficulties and related health issues later in life. Sharing family meals can help prevent these issues developing, but most studies have looked at families with neurotypical children. Our goal was to learn more about how families of children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and both conditions (autism + attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) experience mealtimes. We developed an online survey asking caregivers about their child's eating, mealtime experience and if they experienced stress.

We tested it with nine caregivers and made improvements based on their feedback before recruiting 351 caregivers to complete the main survey. We found that families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions experienced greater food fussiness, emotional undereating, 'problematic' child mealtime behaviours, dietary concerns, higher stress for caregivers and spouses and less frequent conventionally structured mealtimes compared to those without these conditions. Families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism + attention deficit hyperactivity disorder reported greater appetite, 'problematic' mealtime behaviours and increased stress for caregivers and spouses compared to families of children with autism. Meanwhile, families of children with autism and autism + attention deficit hyperactivity disorder reported less enjoyment of food and less structured mealtimes compared to those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Our findings highlight that families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly those with autism + attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, have different mealtime experiences and eating behaviours compared to those with neurotypical children. These families may benefit from support at mealtimes. Learning why people do or do not participate in shared family meals will be crucial to developing improved mealtime support in the future.