Traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety as Correlates of Picky Eating and Disordered Eating in an Adult Non-Clinical Population

Abstract

Abstract Background Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new diagnosis that can affect individuals across the lifespan. Existing literature indicates that both anxiety and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms are highly prevalent among individuals with eating disorders, including ARFID and anorexia nervosa (AN). However, most research is completed in child and adolescent populations, particularly for ARFID. The present study investigates the relationship between traits of ASD and anxiety with picky eating and disordered eating, reflecting subclinical eating pathology, in an adult non-clinical sample. Methods Participants (N = 160) were recruited through an advertisement on Sona Systems® and through online social media groups pertinent to restrictive eating conditions. Participants were predominantly White, female, and aged between 18 and 33 years (M = 20.96). Participants completed four self-report questionnaires, measuring anxiety (GAD-7), ASD (CATI), disordered eating (EDE-Q), and picky eating (APEQ). Results Findings indicated that higher scores of anxiety were positively associated with both picky eating and disordered eating scores. In contrast, traits of ASD only correlated with higher picky eating scores and did not correlate with disordered eating scores. In terms of traits of ASD more specifically, higher sensory sensitivity and difficulties with social interaction scores were associated with higher picky eating scores. Conclusions Given an association between picky and disordered eating and anxiety, findings suggest that anxiety may influence picking and disordered eating, and/or that these eating disturbances may contribute to higher anxiety. Traits of ASD were significantly associated with picky eating in an adult sample, possibly reflecting high rates of ASD in eating disturbances at a clinical level, such as ARFID, in child and adolescent populations. As sensory sensitivity and social interaction correlated with picky eating, these may represent potential treatment targets in picky eating and ARFID interventions for adults, especially for those with ASD, although research is needed in clinical populations. It may be important to screen individuals for anxiety and ASD who are presenting to services with eating disturbances, both at subclinical and clinical levels.