Abstract
We compared anthropometric values, nutrient intake, the Healthy Eating Index and food variety in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 20 on a gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet and 85 on a regular diet in Valencia (Spain) using 3-days food diaries. Those on the GFCF diet had a lower weight, body mass index, and total energy, pantothenic acid, calcium, phosphorus and sodium intake, but a higher intake of fiber, legumes, and vegetables. Further, the GFCF diet group had a better quality of fat intake, but needed supplementation with vitamin D. Randomized controlled trials are required to explore long-term effects of this diet on anthropometric and nutritional status (the focus of our study), but also behavioral symptoms, in children with ASD.
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Acknowledgments
We wish to thank the parents who generously donated their time and effort to participate in the study. We also thank the head teachers of the schools that collaborated in the study for their interest in this research. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of editors of Ideas Need Communicating Language Services with the preparation of this manuscript.
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All five authors have contributed significantly to the design and implementation of the study, and also to the analysis and interpretation of the results. They have all participated in preparing this manuscript and have approved the final version submitted for publication.
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Marí-Bauset, S., Llopis-González, A., Zazpe, I. et al. Nutritional Impact of a Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 673–684 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2582-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2582-7