(P14-068-23) Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Its Association With Mealtime Behaviors in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploratory Analysis

Objectives: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to exhibit problematic mealtime behaviors and unhealthy eating habits than typically developing peers. Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake among children with ASD is poorly understood. This study aimed to assess UPF consumption and its association with mealtime behaviors among children with ASD under 36 months of age.

Methods: This preliminary and exploratory data analysis included 19 children with ASD aged 16 to 35 months from the baseline assessment of an ongoing randomized clinical trial (84% male, 32% Hispanic, 26% non-Hispanic White, 21.1% Black, and 15.8% Asian). Three-day food records and a validated mealtime behavior survey, Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI), were completed by the parents. UPF was characterized based on NOVA classification and food intake data were entered into the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool. The percentage of daily energy intake from UPF (%kcal UPF) was calculated. The association between UPF and mealtime behaviors was examined using Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman correlation.

Results: On average, UPF contributed 51.6% (16.8-91.0%) of total daily energy intake. Over 30% of our sample consumed greater than 70% of their daily energy intake from UPF. The top five UPF items consumed by children were (1) chicken nuggets/tenders/strips, (2) sweetened drinks including sports drinks and fruit drinks, (3) bakery goods/desserts including muffins, cookies, cake, and doughnuts, (4) salted crackers, and (5) processed potatoes such as French fries and ready-to-heat mashed potatoes. No significant association was found between %kcal UPF and children’s mealtime behaviors.

Conclusions: UPF contributed to more than 50% of daily energy intake among young children with ASD regardless of their mealtime behavioral status. Given that our sample was very young children under 3 years, early intervention to delay UPF introduction or reduce existing UPF intake would be beneficial for children with ASD. Further research with a larger sample size is needed.

Funding Sources: The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD: Grant# R21HD106182, PI: Gray).