An interventional study of Individualized Parent-Based Nutrition Education Programme in Autism Spectrum Disorder, sponsored by Firat University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 3 Years to 6 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-20.
Sponsored by Firat University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Feeding difficulties, such as food selectivity and refusal to try new foods, are common among preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These difficulties may affect children's dietary intake, eating habits, and daily activities.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an individualized nutrition education programme delivered to parents could improve feeding behaviours, dietary intake, sleep habits, physical activity, and quality of life in preschool children with ASD.
The study included 45 children aged 3-6 years, including 30 children with ASD and 15 typically developing children. Children with ASD were randomly assigned to either a nutrition education group or a control group. Parents in the education group received eight individual nutrition education sessions over 16 weeks, supported by weekly telephone counselling. The typically developing children participated as a separate comparison group and were not randomly assigned.
The researchers assessed children's dietary intake, feeding behaviours, sleep habits, growth, physical activity, and screen time before and after the 16-week study period. Parent-reported quality of life was also evaluated.
Feeding and eating difficulties are frequently observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly during the preschool years. These difficulties may include food selectivity, refusal of unfamiliar foods, limited dietary variety, and challenging mealtime behaviours. Such problems may affect dietary adequacy, growth, family mealtime routines, and overall well-being. Parent involvement is considered an important component of nutritional interventions because parents play a central role in children's food choices, eating environments, and daily feeding practices.
This study was designed to evaluate the effects of an individualized, parent-based nutrition education programme on dietary intake, feeding behaviours, sleep habits, physical activity, screen time, anthropometric indicators, and quality of life among preschool children with ASD.
The study used a randomized controlled design with an additional non-randomized comparison group of typically developing children. Children with mild to moderate ASD were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or an ASD control group. A separate group of typically developing children was included for comparison.
The intervention consisted of a 16-week individualized nutrition education programme delivered to parents of children with ASD. Parents received eight individual education sessions and weekly telephone counselling. The programme focused on supporting healthy eating habits, addressing feeding difficulties, improving dietary variety, and helping parents establish appropriate feeding practices and mealtime routines.
Assessments were conducted at baseline and at the end of the 16-week study period. Dietary intake was evaluated using three-day food records, while standardized questionnaires were used to assess feeding behaviours, sleep habits, and quality of life. Anthropometric measurements, physical activity, screen time, and gastrointestinal symptoms were also evaluated.
The study aimed to provide evidence on the potential role of individualized, parent-based nutrition education in supporting nutritional and behavioural outcomes in preschool children with ASD.
1,755 studies on the registry are indexed under Autism Spectrum Disorder; 507 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 45 is below the median of 52 across 1,391 interventional studies indexed under Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Browse Autism Spectrum Disorder studies →Firat University is the lead sponsor of 117 studies on the registry; 46 are open to participants now.
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For the ASD intervention and control groups: a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with mild to moderate symptom severity assessed using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).
For the typically developing comparison group: children without an ASD diagnosis who exhibited typical development.
Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian.
Exclusion Criteria:
For the ASD groups: severe ASD symptom severity according to the CARS assessment.
Children whose parents or legal guardians did not provide informed consent.
Behavioral: Individualized Parent-Based Nutrition Education Programme
The intervention consisted of a 16-week individualized, parent-based nutrition education programme for preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents received eight individual nutrition education sessions and weekly telephone counselling throughout the intervention period. The programme aimed to improve children's dietary intake and feeding behaviours by providing parents with practical guidance on healthy eating, dietary variety, food selectivity, and appropriate feeding practices. Educational content was tailored to each child's nutritional needs and feeding difficulties. Parents were encouraged to apply the recommended strategies in their children's daily eating routines.
Change in Feeding Behaviors Assessed by the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS)
Feeding behaviors were assessed using the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS), a parent-reported questionnaire evaluating child feeding behaviors and parental responses to feeding difficulties. Changes in scores from baseline to Week 16 were evaluated. Higher scores indicate more problematic feeding behaviors. Kopyala
Time frame: Baseline and Week 16
Change in Dietary Intake
Dietary intake was assessed using three-day food records. Daily energy, macronutrient, fiber, vitamin, and mineral intakes were estimated from dietary records and compared between baseline and Week 16. Nutrient intakes were expressed in nutrient-specific units.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 16
Change in Parental Quality of Life Assessed by the Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire (QOLA-P)
Parental quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire - Parent Version (QOLA-P). The questionnaire evaluates parents' overall quality of life and the perceived impact of their child's autism-related difficulties. Changes in scores from baseline to Week 16 were evaluated, with higher scores indicating better parental quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 16
Plan to share: No
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