The role of food selectivity in the association between child autistic traits and constipation

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the association between child autistic traits and constipation symptoms, and explores whether this association is mediated by food selectivity. Method: The sample included participants (N = 2,818) from the population-based birth cohort, Generation R (Rotterdam, the Netherlands). Parents reported their child's autistic traits at 6 years (using the Social Responsiveness Scale), food selectivity at 10 years (using the Stanford Feeding Questionnaire) and the frequency and severity of constipation symptoms they experienced at 10 years (using the ROME III functional constipation diagnostic criteria). Mediation analyses tested mediation through food selectivity in the association of autistic traits and the number of constipation symptoms, adjusting for covariates. Results: There was a positive association between parent-reported child autistic traits and constipation symptoms (r = 0.08, p