Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42336795›Full record

ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2026

Mealtime behaviours, diet quality and parental stress in children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study from Türkiye.

Caner Özyildirim, Merve Seyda Karaçil Ermumcu, Meryem Ece Mutlu, Ilgın Baran, Hediye Salim, Nilgun Seremet Kürklü

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Caner ÖzyildirimDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8227-9575
Merve Seyda Karaçil ErmumcuDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Meryem Ece MutluDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Ilgın BaranDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Hediye SalimDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Nilgun Seremet KürklüDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey nseremetkurklu@akdeniz.edu.tr.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFeeding difficulties in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are prevalent, adversely affecting both the child's nutritional status and the family's psychosocial well-being. This study aimed to examine the interrelationships between mealtime behaviours, diet quality and parental stress in children with ASD.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 111 parents of children diagnosed with ASD (mean age: 6.8±3.5 years) in Antalya, Türkiye. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using validated tools (Brief Autism Mealtime Behaviour Inventory (BAMBI), parental mealtime strategies, parental stress scale, Quality of Life questionnaire in autism). Diet quality was evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index-2020, derived from 3-day food consumption records. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of diet quality.

resultsThe prevalence of poor diet quality was alarmingly high (94.5%). Multivariate regression revealed that problematic mealtime behaviours (BAMBI) were a strong independent predictor of lower diet quality (B=-0.370, p<0.001), even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. While overall proactive parental strategies positively predicted diet quality, specific accommodative practices like preparing special meals correlated negatively. Furthermore, caregivers of girls reported significantly higher stress (p=0.017) and perceived autism-related burden (p=0.003) compared with caregivers of boys.

conclusionsSevere mealtime behavioural dysregulation in ASD intrinsically compromises diet quality and elevates parental psychosocial burden. Clinical management requires a multidisciplinary, family-centred approach integrating behavioural feeding support with caregiver stress management.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderDietFeeding BehaviorMealsParentsStress, PsychologicalChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleQuality of LifeSurveys and QuestionnairesChild Health

Identifiers

PMID42336795
PMCPMC13295970

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.