Illinois State University ISU ReD: Research and eData Theses and Dissertations 2-21-2015 A Qualitative Assessment Of Eating Behaviors In Adults With Autism Samantha Barbier Illinois State University,
[email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd Part of the Human and Clinical Nutrition Commons Recommended Citation Barbier, Samantha, "A Qualitative Assessment Of Eating Behaviors In Adults With Autism" (2015). Theses and Dissertations. 317. https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/317 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ISU ReD: Research and eData. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ISU ReD: Research and eData. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. A QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF EATING BEHAVIORS IN ADULTS WITH AUTISM Samantha J. Barbier 45 Pages May 2015 Diagnosis of autism has increased ten-fold in the last 40 years, and adults with autism remain an underrepresented population in research. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the relationship between eating behaviors and autism using a questionnaire and interviews with adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Four males aged 22-27 were interviewed with their mothers present and completed the Swedish Eating Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorders (SWEAA). Interviews were analyzed through the process of open coding, and the questionnaires were analyzed to determine consistent findings between the interview and the SWEAA questionnaire. Participants generally recognized hunger and satiety and were consuming a high carbohydrate, high fat diet low in vegetables. Variety in food choices was highly dependent upon encouragement from family members.