Associação do nível de suporte à seletividade e neofobia alimentar em universitários com Transtorno do Espectro Autista : Association of selectivity support level and food neophobia in college students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Lauren Cangussu Coutinho; Leandro Lucas Braz Fernandes; Mayla Cardoso Fernandes Toffolo; Julia Cristina Cardoso Carraro

doi:10.17765/2176-9206.2025v18e13283

Authors

Lauren Cangussu Coutinho Federal University of Ouro Preto https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4111-8478
Leandro Lucas Braz Fernandes Federal University of Ouro Preto https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9115-4111
Mayla Cardoso Fernandes Toffolo Federal University of Ouro Preto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0260-6028
Julia Cristina Cardoso Carraro Federal University of Ouro Preto https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0027-2690

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2025v18e13283

Keywords:

Autism, Eating behavior, University students

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate food selectivity and neophobia among university students with and without an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, correlating these traits with the level of support required. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with students from the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), using online questionnaires: the Autism Spectrum Quotient (autistic traits), the Food Neophobia Scale (food neophobia), and the Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (food selectivity). Data analysis was performed using STATA version 15.0. RESULTS: A total of 102 responses were analyzed, including 17 from individuals with ASD. The average age was 26 years. Most participants were single (89.2%), financially dependent (76.4%), lived with family members or in shared housing (84.3%), were eutrophic (54.9%), and had other health-related diagnoses (63.7%). Individuals with ASD exhibited greater food selectivity across all subscales, while food neophobia did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSION: Students diagnosed with ASD demonstrated greater food selectivity in all evaluated parameters compared to neurotypical individuals.

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Author Biographies

Lauren Cangussu Coutinho, Federal University of Ouro Preto

She is a medical student at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP). She is a member of the Support Network of the Marcio Galvão Free Academic Center of Medicine (CALMED-MG) at the Federal University of Ouro Preto. She serves as a student representative in the Department of Surgery, Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Propaedeutics (DECGP) at UFOP. She is a Scientific Initiation Scholarship holder with FAPEMIG and a member of the Women’s Health Academic League (LASMU) at UFOP.

Leandro Lucas Braz Fernandes , Federal University of Ouro Preto

He completed his high school education at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Espírito Santo (2019).

Mayla Cardoso Fernandes Toffolo, Federal University of Ouro Preto

Ph.D. in Health from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Master's in Health and Nutrition from the Federal University of Ouro Preto, Specialist in Maternal and Child Nutrition from IPGS, and Bachelor's in Nutrition from UFOP. He is a member of the Translational Nutrition Research Group (GPNUTT - UFF), the Research Group - Center for Food and Nutrition Studies - NEAN-UFOP, and a Member/Leader of the Clinical Nutrition Research and Extension Group (NuCli-UFOP). Currently, he is a tutor in the Integrated Multiprofessional Residency in Health at the Hospital das Clínicas/UFMG and an Assistant Professor in the Nutrition program at the Federal University of Ouro Preto, also serving as vice-coordinator of the same program. His main areas of focus are chemical dependency, non-communicable chronic diseases, autism, and pediatric nutrition.

Julia Cristina Cardoso Carraro, Federal University of Ouro Preto

Assistant Professor of Clinical Nutrition (Diet Therapy and Nutrition Clinic) in the Department of Clinical and Social Nutrition, School of Nutrition at the Federal University of Ouro Preto. She is a professor in the Graduate Program in Health and Nutrition and currently serves as coordinator of the Nutrition program at UFOP. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from the Federal University of Viçosa (2009) and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Science from the Federal University of Viçosa, with a "sandwich" doctoral program at the University of Navarra (Pamplona, Spain), in the Department of Food Science and Physiology. She has experience in the fields of Nutritional Genomics, Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, Mental Health, and Eating Behavior.

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