Food & Nutrition

Arab Journal of Food & Nutrition
85. Dietary and Anthropometric Evaluation of a Sample of Autistic Subjects in
Jordan (2006)
Amani Abd Al-Rahman Al- Hadid\ University of Jordan
Supervisor: Dr. Mousa Numan Ahmad
This study was carried out in order to assess the nutritional and anthropometric
status of a sample of autistic subjects in Jordan, and to study the different dietary
patterns and practices of this sample, as well as to know how the nutritional status
correlates with the severity of the disorder.
The study sample consisted of 59 subjects (49 males, 10 females), aged between
4-23 yr, and diagnosed according to either one of the two diagnostic scales; CARS, n =
31 or GARS, n= 28. A special questionnaire was used to collect data about dietary
practices and patterns related to meals and snacks, dieting, use of supplements, eating
problems and gastrointestinal disturbances. A three-day dietary record was also used to
collect dietary intake data. Body weight, height, midarm circumference, skinfold
thickness and head circumference were measured, and their indices were calculated for
evaluating the anthropometric status. Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC)
was used to determine the current severity of the disorder, and the Healthy Eating
Index (HEI) was used to determine the current overall diet adequacy. The sample was
divided into four age groups according to the Food and Nutrition Board age
classification. The groups were as follows: group 1: 4-8 yr (n= 31, 26 males, 5
females), group 2: 9-13 yr (n= 17, 12 males, 5 females), group 3: 14-16 yr (n= 5
males), and group 4: 21-23 yr (n= 6 males).
The results indicated that 64% of the subjects had normal body weight, whereas
12%, 14%, 10% were underweight, at risk of overweight or overweight respectively.
The % median of the main anthropometric measurements of the sample groups ranged
from 83%-104% in body weight, 94%-99% in height, 96%-111% in BMI and 79%-
115% in AMA.
Energy intake was adequate (>90% of the recommended intake) in 48 (81%)
subjects, and the intake of protein and carbohydrate was >100% of DRI in 58 (98%)
subjects. Fat intake as a percent of energy was compatible with the Acceptable
Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) in 41(69%) subjects. The intake of all of
the studied micronutrients was adequate (>80% of DRI) for > 80% of the subjects
except for Ca, I and vitamin D. Thirty six subjects (61%) were applying one or more
type of diet, twenty subjects (34%) were using supplements, 25 subjects (42%) had
one or more type of gastrointestinal disturbances, and all subjects had one or more
type of eating problems. Soft drinks, sweets and foods containing food additives were
the most problematic food groups with a reported negative effect in 58%, 53% and
44% of the subjects respectively. The mean ATEC score of the whole sample was 71.2
(S.D= 30.5), which corresponds to moderate-to- severe degree of autism severity, and
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