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. 2022 Sep;30(5):510-537.
doi: 10.1002/erv.2932. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Problematic eating behaviours of autistic women-A scoping review

Sabrina S Schröder  1   2 , Unna N Danner  1   2 , Annelies A Spek  3 , Annemarie A van Elburg  1   2
Affiliations

Problematic eating behaviours of autistic women-A scoping review

Sabrina S Schröder et al. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Aim: Eating and feeding behaviours of autistic individuals and related consequences have been mainly investigated in autistic children or in autistic adults with intellectual disabilities. Behaviours such as food selectivity or food neophobia have been shown to persist into adolescence and adulthood and are associated with aversive consequences. However, much less is known about the eating behaviours of autistic adults without intellectual disabilities, especially those of women. By means of a scoping review, we aim to assess the extent of the scientific literature on what is known about the eating behaviours of these women and the possible consequences of such eating behaviour.

Method: Medline, Cochrane, PubMed and PsycInfo databases were searched according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results: Five studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Autistic women not only reported high levels of eating behaviour frequently seen in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but also high levels of disordered eating behaviour, similar to that of women with eating disorders.

Conclusions: Autistic women seem to exhibit high levels of eating behaviour frequently seen in ASD as well as disordered eating behaviour. Future research needs to shed light on what underlies these problematic eating behaviours, in order to help to adapt current treatment modalities to meet the unique needs of these women.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorders; eating behaviours; eating disorders; women.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Selection process: PRISMA flow diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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