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Friday, May 16, 2008
Champagne Terrace/Bordeaux (Novotel London West)
Background: A popular therapy for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is the gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet which eliminates proteins found in some grains (barley, rye, oats, wheat) and milk. Few prospective studies have evaluated behavioral response to the diet and none have reported on nutritional quality.
Objectives: Prospective documentation of changes in macro and micronutrients and servings of Food Guide Pyramid recommendations ingested by children with ASD between baseline and stable administration of the GFCF diet.
Methods: Preschool children (N=11) in Applied Behavior Analysis programs were recruited for a double blind, placebo controlled challenge study of the GFCF diet. Reported here are initial nutritional data. Three day diet records were collected at baseline and after at least 4 weeks on the GFCF diet with intense weekly nutritional counseling. Diet data was analyzed by Food Processor © software. Nutrients were examined as % of RDA and servings per the Food Guide Pyramid.
Results: No group differences on the T test for paired observations were evident in calorie, protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, D, or C intake after implementation of the diet. Individual children were at risk for deficits in calcium, iron, and vitamins A and D intake. Servings of fruits, vegetables, protein, and sweets/fat all increased on the GFCF diet (p=.016, p=.02, p=.03, p=.008 respectively) on the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Signed Ranks Test .
Conclusions: Preschool children with ASD can be appropriately nourished on a GFCF diet, however monitoring by a dietitian is strongly recommended. Diet sufficiency was maintained by increasing food variety, use of appropriately fortified foods, and vitamin supplementation. Fortified soy products contributed to protein, calcium and vitamin D adequacy. The effects of nutrition must be considered in evaluation of the behavioral data.
Funded by NIMH PO1HD35466 and National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) NIH UL1RR024160
Objectives: Prospective documentation of changes in macro and micronutrients and servings of Food Guide Pyramid recommendations ingested by children with ASD between baseline and stable administration of the GFCF diet.
Methods: Preschool children (N=11) in Applied Behavior Analysis programs were recruited for a double blind, placebo controlled challenge study of the GFCF diet. Reported here are initial nutritional data. Three day diet records were collected at baseline and after at least 4 weeks on the GFCF diet with intense weekly nutritional counseling. Diet data was analyzed by Food Processor © software. Nutrients were examined as % of RDA and servings per the Food Guide Pyramid.
Results: No group differences on the T test for paired observations were evident in calorie, protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, D, or C intake after implementation of the diet. Individual children were at risk for deficits in calcium, iron, and vitamins A and D intake. Servings of fruits, vegetables, protein, and sweets/fat all increased on the GFCF diet (p=.016, p=.02, p=.03, p=.008 respectively) on the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Signed Ranks Test .
Conclusions: Preschool children with ASD can be appropriately nourished on a GFCF diet, however monitoring by a dietitian is strongly recommended. Diet sufficiency was maintained by increasing food variety, use of appropriately fortified foods, and vitamin supplementation. Fortified soy products contributed to protein, calcium and vitamin D adequacy. The effects of nutrition must be considered in evaluation of the behavioral data.
Funded by NIMH PO1HD35466 and National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) NIH UL1RR024160