CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EXCLUSION DIET FOR SUSPECTED FOOD ALLERGY ACCORDING TO NUTRITIONAL STATUS, PARENTAL PROFILE AND EATING BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN WITH EATING DIFFICULTIES

Abstract

The study aims to describe the characteristics of the exclusion diet due to suspected food allergy in children with feeding difficulties and to analyze whether these characteristics differ according to nutritional status, parenting style and eating behaviors. This is a cross-sectional observational study with 28 children treated at an outpatient clinic for feeding difficulties. Data collection was performed by reviewing medical records containing information obtained in multidisciplinary consultations. History of food allergy, characterization of the exclusion diet, nutritional status, parenting styles and eating behaviors were analyzed. Most children started the exclusion diet before six months of age, maintained it for more than six months and excluded only one food, predominantly cow's milk. No significant differences were found between the characteristics of the diet and the nutritional status or eating behaviors. However, the frequency of non-responsive parenting profiles was significantly higher among parents of children who started the diet after six months of age. Prolonged exclusion diets and the prevalence of non-responsive parenting styles can impact children's eating habits, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary support in the management of food allergies and associated eating difficulties.