Autistic traits and eating behaviors in Chinese preschoolers: Role of sensory profiles and home environment.

This study of 509 Chinese preschoolers found that children with more autism-like traits tend to have more eating difficulties. The link between autism traits and eating problems was explained partly by how children process sensory information (like taste, texture, smell). However, a supportive home environment can help reduce eating problems in children with autism traits and sensory sensitivities.

This cross-sectional study examined 509 Chinese preschoolers aged 3-4 years to investigate relationships between autistic traits and eating behaviors. Using validated measures including the SRS-2, Chinese Preschoolers' Eating Behavior Questionnaire, Short Sensory Profile-2, and Children Home Nurture Environment Questionnaire, researchers found significant positive associations between autistic traits and eating behavior problems in typically developing children. Mediation analyses revealed that sensory processing patterns significantly mediated the relationship between autistic traits and eating behaviors. Additionally, home nurturing environment moderated this relationship, with supportive home environments helping to improve eating behaviors in children with higher autistic traits and heightened sensory processing patterns.

Results suggest clinicians should assess sensory processing patterns when addressing eating difficulties in children with autistic traits. Family-centered interventions that improve home nurturing environments may be beneficial. Early identification and intervention targeting sensory aspects of eating may help prevent more severe feeding problems.

Cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences. Study focused on Chinese preschoolers, limiting generalizability to other populations and age groups. The study examined typically developing children rather than diagnosed autistic children, which may limit applicability to clinical populations.

This study aims to 1) explore the association between autistic traits and eating behaviors in Chinese preschoolers; 2) explore the mediating role of sensory processing patterns on the relation of autistic traits and eating-related behaviors; and 3) examine home nurturing environment as a moderator between autistic traits and eating-related behaviors. We hypothesize that there is a significant association between autistic traits and eating behaviors, which is mediated by sensory processing patterns and moderated by the home nurturing environment. 509 children aged 3-4 years participated in this cross-sectional research. They were assessed using the Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2) for autistic traits, the Chinese Preschoolers' Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CPEBQ) for eating-related behaviors, the Short Sensory Profile-Second Edition (SSP-2) for sensory processing patterns, and the Children Home Nurture Environment Questionnaire (CHNEQ) for home nurturing environment. Mediation regression analyses were used to examine the role of sensory processing patterns, while moderation analyses to examine the role of home nurturing environment.

We observed a positive association between autistic traits and eating behavior problems among typically developed children. Sensory processing patterns significantly mediated the impact of autistic traits on children's eating-related behaviors and home nurturing environment also moderated this relationship. Our research suggests that Chinese preschoolers with higher autistic traits may face more eating challenges when they possess more heightened sensory processing patterns, while living in supportive home environments helps to improve their eating behaviors. These findings contribute to the understanding of how and to what extent eating problems are influenced by autistic traits, and they offer insight into the alleviation of eating problems from the perspectives of sensory patterns and family nurturing environments.