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Open research questions in Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues

52 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 793 Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Crucially, recent studies are shifting focus to predictive biomarkers, showing that improvement correlates with changes in neural activity (ERP, EEG) and metabolite levels (GABA/Glx ratio), indicating that efficacy is likely limited to a specific, biologically defined subgroup of children. The evidence is MIXED but consistently suggests a signal of therapeutic efficacy for core and associated symptoms.

    Medical treatment of autism spectrum disorder in children: Current evidence, controversies, and clinical challenges · 2026 · DOI

  • However, current research often prioritizes autistic symptoms in populations with eating disorders and little is known about the prevalence of food selectivity, how it relates to autism and the distribution of eating disorders, even though appropriate eating and nutrients intake are essential to the physical and emotional well-being of a patient with autism spectrum disorder.

    Prevalence of food selectivity and eating disorders in autism: A meta-analysis · 2025 · DOI

  • Moreover, further investigation of the benefits observed with some nutrient supplements (such as omega-3 and vitamin D for ADHD) through larger-scale RCTs is imperative to establish more robust conclusions.

    The Role of Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Supplements in the Management of Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses: Le rôle des habitudes alimentaires et des suppléments nutritionnels dans la prise en charge des troubles mentaux chez les enfants et les adolescents : une méta-revue de méta-analyses · 2024 · DOI

  • Conclusion Despite training in evidence-based practice, some registered psychologists have positive attitudes towards dietary modifications in the treatment of children with psychological conditions, and may be susceptible to recommending dietary interventions, regardless of the limited evidence base.

    Psychologist attitudes, self-reported competence and practices associated with the use of dietary interventions for children presenting for psychological treatment · 2021 · DOI

  • The available randomized control trials that have analyzed the benefit of metformin in youth suffering from SGA-induced weight gain have produced conflicting results, but the data looking specifically at youth with ASD have been positive.

    Second generation antipsychotic-induced weight gain in youth with autism spectrum disorders: a brief review of mechanisms, monitoring practices, and indicated treatments · 2019 · DOI

  • However, the effects of the high-p sequence on feeding have varied across studies, a systematic synthesis of the literature to guide practice and further research is lacking, and whether the high-p sequence, as an intervention for feeding problems, meets current evidence-based practice standards in special education is unknown.

    Effects of the High-Probability Instructional Sequence in Children With Feeding Disorders: A Synthesis · 2019 · DOI

  • Despite widespread use of behavioral observations to evaluate child feeding behaviors in research and clinical practice, few studies have comprehensively characterized mealtimes or identified features that differentiate children with and without disordered feeding; these were the aims of the current study.

    OBSERVATION AND COMPARISON OF MEALTIME BEHAVIORS IN A SAMPLE OF CHILDREN WITH AVOIDANT/RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE DISORDERS AND A CONTROL SAMPLE OF CHILDREN WITH TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT · 2018 · DOI

  • Although investigators have evaluated the efficacy of re-distribution, swallow facilitation, and a chaser, these procedures have not been evaluated specifically with children with ASD.

    A Multi-Component Treatment to Reduce Packing in Children With Feeding and Autism Spectrum Disorders · 2014 · DOI

  • Results of this synthesis indicated that the efficacy of GFCF diet interventions for individuals with ASD is inconclusive, and the field needs better controlled studies to provide the scientific evidence base for the intervention.

    Effectiveness of Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diets for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Evidence-Based Research Synthesis · 2013 · DOI

  • Despite increase in empirical evidence supporting the role of behavior analysis in treating severe feeding problems, evaluation of the short- and long-term effects of these treatments for a large group of children with ASD is warranted.

    Treatment Outcomes for Severe Feeding Problems in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder · 2009 · DOI

  • Although all children experienced pulmonary illnesses during the one year of follow up, control of aspiration permitted a clinically significant improvement of their pulmonary obstructive syndrome Further study is needed to more fully determine the effect of this treatment approach on pulmonary function.

    Feeding Management of Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy and Eating Impairment · 2003 · DOI

  • Within this perspective, nature-based and socio-agricultural practices represent promising yet underexplored therapeutic resources, particularly when integrated into spatial planning frameworks.

    A GIS-Based Decision Support System for Personalized Therapeutic Pathways in Feeding and Eating Disorders: Integrating Social Agriculture and Green Infrastructure into Health-Oriented Spatial Planning · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research could focus on developing and utilizing equipment and applications in virtual environments that provide physical sensations similar to those in real environments, thereby facilitating the transition to the generalization phase.

    Effectiveness of the “Cooking Simulator VR” Virtual Reality Application Presented with Video Modeling Teaching Method in Teaching Food Preparation Skills to Individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder · 2025 · DOI

  • Although interventions for problematic feeding behavior are common, there is limited information for children without a pediatric feeding disorder who self-feed but exclusively do so inappropriately.

    Response Blocking to Identify Inappropriate Self-Feeding as a Motivation or a Skill Deficit · 2024 · DOI

  • Limited research has investigated prognosis, but existing longitudinal studies highlight the persistence of the disorder and the possibility of diagnostic crossover to other eating disorders.

    Epidemiology of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder · 2024 · DOI

  • Oral stimulation had the most studies with consistent evidence supporting its beneficial effect to facilitate achievement to independent oral feeds, swallow/gustatory stimulation appeared to have some benefit, but evidence for olfactory, tactile/kinesthetic, and auditory stimulation was sparse.

    Interventions to Enhance Achievement to Independent Oral Feeds in Premature Infants: A Scoping Review · 2023 · DOI

  • In children with ASD and severe food selectivity, a nutrition evaluation and laboratory testing are warranted before a more elaborate testing.

    Scurvy as a Sequela of Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Autism: A Systematic Review · 2020 · DOI

  • Increasing data on use of topiramate, melatonin, and zonisamide to treat SGA-induced weight gain in youth also exists and warrants further study.

    Second generation antipsychotic-induced weight gain in youth with autism spectrum disorders: a brief review of mechanisms, monitoring practices, and indicated treatments · 2019 · DOI

  • Future research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms that transform standard treatment practices into pathological eating, including characteristics and behaviors of the child, parents/care providers, family, and treatment providers.

    Are children with chronic illnesses requiring dietary therapy at risk for disordered eating or eating disorders? A systematic review · 2018 · DOI

  • Failure to thrive (FTT) is a common problem that occurs when caloric intake is insufficient to maintain growth.

    Clinical Review of Failure to Thrive in Pediatric Patients · 2016 · DOI

  • Given the effectiveness of putative escape extinction as treatment for feeding problems, it is surprising that little is known about the effects of escape as reinforcement for appropriate eating during treatment.

    ESCAPE AS REINFORCEMENT AND ESCAPE EXTINCTION IN THE TREATMENT OF FEEDING PROBLEMS · 2011 · DOI

  • The literature currently available suggests that diets eliminating both gluten and casein (rather than either alone) should be studied first and that outcome measures should include assessments of nonverbal cognition.

    Elimination Diets in Autism Spectrum Disorders · 2006 · DOI

  • The elevations do occur consistently within individuals, and the possibility of identifying a specific sub- group by the measurement of 5 - H T remains to be explored.

    Studies on 5-hydroxyindole metabolism in autistic and other mentally retarded children · 1961 · DOI

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52 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 793 Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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