FOOD SELECTIVITY AND WEIGHT PROFILE IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER USING RISPERIDONE: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Food selectivity is a behavior commonly found in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It manifests as the refusal or restricted acceptance of certain foods, driven by sensory hypersensitivities to characteristics such as color, texture, appearance, odor, and consistency. This eating pattern can compromise the individual's nutritional status. The use of risperidone can aggravate this condition, as the medication can cause metabolic side effects such as weight gain and increased appetite.

Objective: To analyze the frequency of food selectivity and the weight profile of preschoolers with ASD using risperidone, enrolled in a group in the city of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro.

 Materials and Methods: This is an exploratory, descriptive, quantitative, primary-based study. The research was carried out between March and June 2020, with preschoolers with ASD (2 to 6 years old) using risperidone, and their respective mothers, linked to the association. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: In the study, 35 children were using risperidone, of which 51.4% (n = 18) were preschoolers, with a mean age of 4.78 years (± 1.22), current weight of 26.3 kg (± 10.39), height of 107.9 cm (± 27.27), and BMI-for-age of 19.4 kg/m² (± 5.77). Regarding food selectivity, the frequency of refusal was high for legumes (21.1%), cookies (21.1%), cereals (21.1%), and meat (21.1%), followed by pasta (16.6%), sugary drinks (15.7%), and milk (15.7%). According to BMI-for-age, 61.1% of preschoolers were obese, 5.6% were overweight, and 33.3% were at a healthy weight.

 Conclusion: Legumes, followed by cookies, cereals, and meat, were the food groups most frequently refused by preschoolers with food selectivity. Excess weight (overweight and obesity) was high, which represents a highly relevant finding for the health of this population.

DOI: 10.56238/edimpacto2025.060-008