Table 6.
Mean MCEH scores related to parent’s responses among ASD and TD groups.
| Questionnaire Item | TD Mean ± SD |
ASD Mean ± SD |
p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) I consider my child’s eating habits a problem. | 2.40 ± 1.072 | 3.12 ± 1.219 | 0.004 |
| (2) My child has few foods they willingly accept. | 3.02 ± 1.263 | 3.53 ± 1.141 | 0.062 |
| (3) My child prefers foods that are crunchy (cereal, chips, crackers). | 3.16 ± 1.174 | 3.49 ± 1.032 | 0.234 |
| (4) My child prefers foods that are smooth (yogurt, applesauce, pudding). | 2.81 ± 1.052 | 2.86 ± 1.187 | 0.851 |
| (5) My child prefers foods that are hot. | 3.02 ± 1.012 | 2.72 ± 1.008 | 0.204 |
| (6) My child prefers foods that are cold. | 3.05 ± 0.925 | 3.19 ± 0.932 | 0.632 |
| (7) My child has difficulties accepting new foods. | 2.74 ± 1.093 | 3.19 ± 1.2 | 0.092 |
| (8) My child refuses particular foods and/or food groups (meats, vegetables, etc.). | 2.28 ± 0.984 | 3.14 ± 1.146 | 0.001 |
| (9) My child refuses foods/drinks based on the presentation (particular bowl, utensil). | 2.47 ± 1.120 | 2.65 ± 1.152 | 0.441 |
| (10) My child refuses foods/drinks based on the color. | 2.49 ± 1.222 | 2.40 ± 1.137 | 0.814 |
| (11) My child refuses foods based on the texture (smooth/crunchy, soft/hard). | 2.53 ± 1.141 | 2.74 ± 1.071 | 0.400 |
| (12) My child refuses foods/drinks based on a prior negative experience with that item (choking, stomach ache, vomiting). | 2.33 ± 1.248 | 2.56 ± 1.098 | 0.254 |
| (13) My family’s diet has changed as a result of my child’s eating habits. | 2.26 ± 1.026 | 2.49 ± 0.985 | 0.321 |
| (14) I only present foods/drinks I know my child will accept. | 2.33 ± 1.190 | 2.98 ± 1.185 | 0.011 |
| (15) I present new foods/drinks to my child even if they have previously refused that item. | 3.26 ± 1.093 | 3.79 ± 0.861 | 0.028 |
| (16) I am concerned about my child’s eating habits. | 2.26 ± 1.136 | 3.16 ± 1.511 | 0.005 |
| (17) I am concerned with my child’s nutrition based on their eating habits. | 2.26 ± 0.978 | 3.00 ± 1.345 | 0.006 |
| (18) I am concerned with my child’s ability to socialize based on their eating habits. | 2.02 ± 0.988 | 3.05 ± 1.174 | 0.000 |
| (19) I am concerned with stress my child’s eating habits have caused my family. | 2.60 ± 4.821 | 2.74 ± 1.177 | 0.001 |
| (20) I am more concerned now with my child’s eating habits than I have been in the past. | 2.12 ± 1.138 | 2.67 ± 1.063 | 0.005 |
| (21) I am less concerned now with my child’s eating habits as I was in the past. | 2.58 ± 1.239 | 3.26 ± 0.902 | 0.008 |
| (22) I feel intervention for my child’s eating habits is important and needed soon. | 2.51 ± 1.222 | 3.16 ± 1.252 | 0.016 |
| (23) I feel intervention for my child’s eating is important but not needed at this time. | 2.53 ± 1.077 | 2.84 ± 0.998 | 0.157 |
| (24) I feel therapy intervention for my child’s eating habits is not needed. | 3.14 ± 1.355 | 2.95 ± 1.344 | 0.517 |