The SWedish Eating Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorders (SWEAA)-Validation of a Self-Report Questionnaire Targeting Eating Disturbances Within the Autism Spectrum.
The SWedish Eating Assessment for Autism spectrum disorders (SWEAA)-Validation of a self-report questionnaire targeting eating disturbances within the autism spectrum.
Res Dev Disabil. 2013 Apr 30; 34(7): 2224-2233
Karlsson L, Råstam M, Wentz E
The aim was to design and validate a questionnaire pertaining to eating problems in individuals with normal intelligence, within the autism spectrum. The questionnaire was based on literature search and clinical experience. The validation focused on psychometric properties of reliability and validity using a clinical group of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (n=57) and a matched, healthy comparison group (n=31). The instrument showed high levels of reliability, convergent and discriminant validity and scaling properties. Logistic regression analyses discerned the single item Simultaneous capacity and the subscale Social situation at mealtime as the best predictors of ASD. In conclusion, the questionnaire is valid and reliable to detect disturbed eating behaviours in individuals with ASD and normal intelligence. HubMed – eating
Observation of parental functioning at mealtime using a sibling design.
Appetite. 2013 Apr 30;
Moens E, Braet C, Vandewalle J
This study investigates whether parental feeding practices are part of the shared environment or responsive to characteristics of different children from the same family. Thirty six mothers with two children (4-12 y) of which 10 sibling-pairs were discordant for weight status (healthy weight – overweight), were invited to the lab for a standard meal. Maternal responsive and controlling behaviour was observed and coded. Children’s weight status and eating behaviour was assessed. Results indicated that in general, mothers show similar levels of responsiveness and controlling behaviour within families. However, the use of mothers’ authoritarian and permissive behaviour and her expressions of involvement at mealtime were consequently related to children’ s amount of food eaten and their restraining eating style. Thus, the amount of food children eat, both observed and assessed by questionnaire, seems related to more maladaptive parenting practices in mothers. This pleads for more tailor-made guidelines when advising parents of children with eating- and weightproblems. HubMed – eating
The Protective Effects of Parent-College Student Communication on Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors.
J Adolesc Health. 2013 May 1;
Small ML, Morgan N, Bailey-Davis L, Maggs JL
PURPOSE: Recent studies suggest that parents maintain influence as their adolescents transition into college. Advances in communication technology make frequent communication between parents and college students easy and affordable. This study examines the protective effect of parent-college student communication on student eating and physical activity behaviors. METHODS: Participants were 746 first-year, first-time, full-time students at a large university in the United States who completed a baseline and 14 daily web-based surveys. RESULTS: On days when students communicated with their parents for 30 minutes or more, they consumed fruits and vegetables, an additional 14%, more times and were 50% more likely to engage in 30 minutes or more of physical activity, consistent with a protective within-person effect. CONCLUSIONS: Encouraging parents to communicate with their college-aged children could improve these students’ daily eating and physical activity behaviors and should be explored as a relatively easy and affordable component of a student preventive intervention. HubMed – eating