Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Dec 23, 2024
Date Accepted: Mar 25, 2025
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Study protocol of AUT-MENU project: a bicentric intervention study to improve the meal acceptance of subjects with autism spectrum disorder
ABSTRACT
Background:
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit a low dietary diversity due to Food Selectivity (FS) resulting in various forms of malnutrition such as obesity condition and/or micronutrient deficiency.
Objective:
The main objective of the AUT-MENU project is to improve meal acceptance of people with ASD. A secondary goal is evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition education course for parents of enrolled subjects to reduce their FS. To these aims, a study has been designed and its protocol is here reported.
Methods:
The study is a bicentric intervention study to be carried out in three center-based services (Pavia and Milan) and two secondary schools (Rome), involving about n=200 participants with ASD from 5 to 35 years old. The study will be divided into an observational phase (T0) and an intervention phase (T1). Biographical data, clinical characteristics and dietary patterns of the enrolled subjects will be assessed at T0. Based on the results obtained at T0 and the nutritional recommendations for individuals with ASD, targeted menus will be developed and tested. At T1 the same tools of T0 will be administered to evaluate the effect of the intervention. Moreover, at T1 a nutrition education course aimed at caregivers will be carried out. To assess the effectiveness of the course, a targeted knowledge questionnaire will be administered before and after the course itself.
Conclusions:
The researchers expect to observe improved meal acceptance in centers and schools through the targeted menus developed and a reduction FS due to the course followed by the caregivers.
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