Anthropometric profile and food refusal of children with autism spectrum disorder using risperidone from a social movement

Abstract

Objectives: To identify food refusal and weight profile in children with autism spectrum disorder using risperidone from a social movement in Macaé. Methods: Exploratory, descriptive, quantitative study carried out between November 2021 and July 2022, with children (2 to 9 years 11 months and 29 days) with autism spectrum disorder and their respective mothers linked to the social movement. Results: Of the 35 children with autism spectrum disorder using risperidone, 85.7% were male, with a mean ± SD age (years) of 5.9 ± 1.6 and mean family income between 1 and 2 salaries -minimum (42.8%). Of these, 61.8% were excess weight (overweight and obesity) and 77.1% refused to eat. According to food groups, a higher percentage of refusal was detected for fruits (34.6%), vegetables (30.8%), legumes (26.9%) and milk and dairy products (15.4%). For physical characteristics, textures in general (42.3%), pasty foods (64.3%), soft foods/preparations (38.5%), wet foods/preparations (30.7%) and specific colors (15.3%) followed by green (21.4%, n=3) and yellow (14.3%, n=2). Conclusions: Most children using risperidone were excess weight and refused to eat fruits, vegetables, legumes, milk and derivatives, textures (pasty and liquid), soft, moist foods and specific colors. Children from lower-income families were less likely to refuse milk and dairy products.