FOOD-AUT Pilot Study Canteen Menus for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Condition: Autism Spectrum Disorder
MeSH terms: Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Study type: Interventional

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).
    

Detailed description: 
      The FOOD-AUT project was a pilot study conducted at the daycare service of Sacra Famiglia
      Onlus Foundation in Cesano Boscone (Milan, Italy) on adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
      (ASD). The project lasted 12 months.

      The main objective of the FOOD-AUT pilot study was to positively impact on the health
      condition of adults with ASD, improving food acceptability and increasing dietary diversity
      through the development of canteen service menus adapted to their nutritional and sensory
      needs.

      The main outcome was the improvement of food acceptance of the canteen menus by the adults
      with ASD.

      The FOOD-AUT pilot study deliverable were 1) the development of targeted canteen menus for
      adults with ASD, according to the nutritional and sensory needs; 2) the elaboration of
      dietary recommendations to customize canteen menus nutritional and sensory needs for
      individuals with ASD.

      Participants of this study were adults (≥ 18 years old) diagnosed with an autism spectrum
      disorder (grade 1-2 or 3), admitted to the day care center for disabled persons (CDD) at
      Sacra Famiglia Fondazione Onlus (Cesano Boscone, Milan, Italy).

      Based on the results of WP1, new canteen menus were drafted by qualified dietitians according
      to the nutritional and sensory needs of the targeted population. The new formulated menus 1)
      provided adequate caloric and macronutrient content, and 2) proposed with greater frequency
      foods having more accepted textures, colors, smells and temperatures.

      A total of 12 meal evaluation forms for each participant were collected on 3 non-consecutive
      weekly days (for a total of 4 weeks). Both the qualitative and quantitative forms were filled
      out by qualified operators, previously trained, of the Sacra Famiglia Onlus Foundation, who
      assist the participants on a daily basis during lunches eaten at the facility. For the
      quantitative evaluation of food consumption, a score was assigned to the four possible
      amounts of dish consumed: zero consumption, ¼ of the plate, ½ of the plate, ¾ of the plate,
      the whole dish.
    

Intervention name(s): Targeted canteen menus
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): 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 model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: 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.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; canteen menus; nutrition; food acceptance; sensory; color; texture; smell; sustainability; mealtime