Impact of nutrition education program on caregivers influencing the dietary practices of autistic children

Caregivers Influencing the Dietary Practices of Autistic Children

  • Iqra Gulzar University Institute of Diet & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
  • Bahisht Rizwan University Institute of Diet & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
  • Maryam Yaseen University Institute of Diet & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
  • Zoya Abid University Institute of Diet & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
  • Ramsha Khalid University Institute of Diet & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
  • Sheza Tanveer University Institute of Diet & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
  • Sana Farooq University Institute of Diet & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
  • Sadia Khan University Institute of Diet & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
  • Raheela Zubair University Institute of Diet & Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52229/ajahs.v5i1.640
Keywords: Dietary Practices, Nutrition Education, Caregivers, Autism Spectrum Disorders ASD

Abstract

Autism is a complex neurobehavioral condition that includes disability in social connection, formative language, and relational abilities joined with inflexible behaviors. Children with autism experience difficulty in communication.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of nutrition education program on the caregivers influencing the dietary practices of autistic children visiting Amin Maktab Center for Special Education and Training, Lahore.

METHODS: A quasi-experimental study performed in Amin Maktab Center for Special Education and Training for Special Olympics Pakistan, Lahore, for 4 months and 50 caregivers of autistic children were selected by non-probability convenient sampling technique. In the nutrition education program, 12 lectures were delivered. The data were collected through pre and post-testing questionnaires. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 24.0.

RESULTS: 58% of children were males, and 42% were females. 56% of caregivers reported that feeding behavior influences a child's nutritional status. The results improved to 84% feeding behavior that influences a child's nutritional status in post-testing, while 10% of children were taking an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. After giving them a nutrition education program, their dietary practices regarding consumption of adequate amount of vitamins and minerals was improved to 68%.

CONCLUSION: It was concluded from the current study that there was a direct relationship between the nutrition education program and dietary practices of autistic children in association with the nutritional status as well as the impact of autism in autistic children.

Published
2020-12-12
How to Cite
Gulzar, I., Rizwan, B., Yaseen, M., Abid, Z., Khalid, R., Tanveer, S., Farooq, S., Khan, S., & Zubair, R. (2020). Impact of nutrition education program on caregivers influencing the dietary practices of autistic children. Asian Journal of Allied Health Sciences (AJAHS), 5(1), 26-33. https://doi.org/10.52229/ajahs.v5i1.640
Issue
Vol 5 No 1: Volume 05 Issue 01
Section
Original Article
Copyright (c) 2020 Asian Journal of Allied Health Sciences (AJAHS)

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