Parent’s perceptions of implementing a nutrition intervention
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Parent’s perceptions of the challenges and barriers to implementing a parent led intervention for food selectivity in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
IRAS ID
246975
Contact name
Claire Blennerhassett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Edge Hill University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
What are the barriers and challenges experienced by parents as they attempt to implement changes to reduce food selectivity in children with autistic spectrum disorder?
Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a developmental disability that affects how a child communicates and how they relate to the world around them. ASD is also associated with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour that limit the everyday function of the child. These restrictions can extend to their nutritional intake, resulting in food refusal (single foods or food groups i.e. all protein foods), a limited food repertoire and a high frequency of single food intake, collectively termed food selectivity. The impact of food selectivity depends on the severity of the restrictions and can include nutrient deficiencies, obesity, medical complaints associated with poor nutritional status (i.e. iron deficiency, constipation and delayed skeletal maturity) and inappropriate behaviour at mealtimes causing stress for the parents, child and siblings.
Research has indicated that treatment approaches for food selectivity have little success in this population group; however, it is unclear why this is. It is possible that the lack of success, in part reflects the difficulties faced by parents as they attempt to make dietary changes at home. Therefore, we intend to interview a group of 10-16 parents, for 60-90 minutes each, to explore the challenges and barriers they encounter when trying to improve their child’s nutritional intake. Interviews will take place 1-2 weeks after attending a parent led nutrition intervention, which is delivered by Registered Dietitians in a local community NHS trust. The intervention includes four group education sessions, which provide parents with knowledge and skills to support children with ASD and food selectivity. It is anticipated that findings from this work will provide the foundation for improving patient treatment.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1131
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion