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Dietary patterns and serum lipid profile in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 December 2025

Laura Vargas Hoffmann Open the ORCID record for Laura Vargas Hoffmann [Opens in a new window] ,
Eduarda Silva Open the ORCID record for Eduarda Silva [Opens in a new window] ,
Kamila Castro ,
Laura Roman ,
Laura Pohl Costa ,
Josiane Luçardo ,
Eduarda Roman ,
Rodrigo Vaucher ,
Janice Giongo  and
Pedro Henrique Flores da Cruz
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Laura Vargas Hoffmann
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Eduarda Silva
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Kamila Castro
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Laura Roman
Affiliation:
Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Laura Pohl Costa
Affiliation:
Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Josiane Luçardo
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Eduarda Roman
Affiliation:
Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Rodrigo Vaucher
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Janice Giongo
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Pedro Henrique Flores da Cruz
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Diana Barbosa Cunha
Affiliation:
Instituto de Medicina Social Hésio Cordeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sandra Valle
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Juliana S. Vaz*
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
*
Corresponding author: Juliana S. Vaz; Email: juliana.vaz@gmail.com
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Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been frequently associated with an increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders, including dyslipidaemia. However, research on lipid profiles and dietary intake in this population remains scarce. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate dietary patterns and their association with serum lipid profile in children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. The study included 233 individuals from 2 to under 19 years assisted by the public health system in Pelotas, Brazil. Fasting blood samples were collected and analysed for serum concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and TAG. Dietary intake was assessed using three non-consecutive 24-h food recalls (two weekdays and one weekend day). Dietary patterns were derived through reduced rank regression, using food group intakes as predictors and fibre density, energy density, carbohydrate and saturated fat intakes as response variables. Standardised pattern scores were calculated to assess individual adherence, and linear regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were applied to examine the association between the dietary pattern scores and lipid profiles. Elevated TAG concentrations were observed in 48·9 % of the participants. Four dietary patterns were identified: Healthy, sugar and starches, mixed and dairy and biscuits. After adjustment, no significant associations were observed between dietary pattern scores and lipid profile. These findings underscore the complex nature of lipid metabolism in individuals with ASD and suggest that dietary patterns alone may not fully explain variations in lipid profiles. This reinforces the need for further research and development of appropriate nutritional interventions for this population.

Keywords

Autism spectrum disorderDietary intakeReduced rank regressionLipid profileDyslipidaemia

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Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , First View , pp. 1 - 11
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

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