FOOD-AUT Pilot Study Canteen Menus for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT05978895 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 30062023
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The FOOD-AUT pilot study aimed to improve the health status of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through a nutritional intervention at canteen service. The researchers adapted the canteen menus to the nutritional and sensory needs of this vulnerable population, reducing their food selectivity and improving their dietary diversity with a positive impact on their health. This project consisted of two phases: first an observational phase (Work Package 1, WP1) and secondarily an interventional phase (Work Package 2, WP2).

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

autism spectrum disorder; canteen menus; nutrition; food acceptance; sensory; color; texture; smell; sustainability; mealtime

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Food acceptance of canteen menus by adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  Meal evaluation forms (score range for each item: 0-1; the score number is directly proportional to the amount of the dish consumed)

  4 weeks (WP1); 4 weeks (WP2)

Study Arms (1)

Intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

22 adults with autism spectrum disorder (grade 1-2 or 3), admitted to the daycare service of Sacra Famiglia Onlus Foundation in Cesano Boscone (Milan, Italy)

Other: Targeted canteen menus

Interventions

Targeted canteen menus OTHER

The nutritional intervention consisted in the development of targeted menus aiming at the needs of individuals with ASD and in assessing their acceptance of the targeted menus. The revision of the standard menus was carried 1) balancing energy and macronutrient content, according to LARN 2014; 2) promoting adequate weekly food frequencies consumption and portions, to provide an adequate and sustainable menus according to CREA 2018; 3) adapting the sensory characteristics of the foods offered to the sensory needs of individuals with ASD. The acceptance of the targeted menus by the enrolled population was evaluated through meal evaluation forms. These results were compared with the ones collected during the first observational phase (WP1). In fact, referring to the results of WP1, new canteen menus were drafted according to the nutritional and sensory needs of the population.

Intervention group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥ 18 years old
• Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (grade 1-2 or grade 3)
• Admission to the daycare service of Sacra Famiglia Onlus Foundation in Cesano Boscone (Milan, Italy)
• Informed consent signed by their caregivers

You may not qualify if:

• Age \< 18 years old
• Not diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (grade 1-2 or grade 3)
• Not admitted to the daycare service of Sacra Famiglia Onlus Foundation in Cesano Boscone (Milan, Italy)
• Informed consent not signed by their caregivers

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pavia: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sacra Famiglia

Cesano Boscone, Milan, 20090, Italy

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Conti MV, Breda C, Basilico S, Luzzi A, Voto L, Santero S, De Filippo G, Cena H. Dietary recommendations to customize canteen menus according to the nutritional and sensory needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Eat Weight Disord. 2023 Aug 1;28(1):66. doi: 10.1007/s40519-023-01590-z.

  PMID: 37526770 BACKGROUND

• Conti MV, Santero S, Breda C, Basilico S, de Filippo G, Luzzi A, Voto L, Cavagnola R, Tomasinelli CE, Cena H. Autism Spectrum Disorder and collective catering service: results of the pilot study FOOD-AUT. Front Nutr. 2024 Jan 10;10:1298469. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1298469. eCollection 2023.

  PMID: 38268678 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Anosmia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Olfaction Disorders; Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Hellas Cena, MD

  University of Pavia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Non-randomized intervention with a single arm. Study participants received new adapted canteen menus according to the nutritional and sensory needs of the target population.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 19, 2023
• First Posted: August 7, 2023
• Study Start: March 30, 2022
• Primary Completion: March 30, 2023
• Study Completion: March 30, 2023
• Last Updated: September 21, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-07

Locations

IT (1)