Oral motor skills and oral sensory sensitivity impact food choices

Abstract

Background: Childhood feeding difficulties can result in reduced dietary intake and variety, and contribute to nutritional deficiencies. Oral motor skills and oral sensory processing abilities contribute to feeding difficulties and may impact food choices. Aims: The primary aim of this study was to determine the associations between oral motor impairment and oral sensory sensitivity with types of foods consumed in children with feeding difficulties. Methods: Children aged 2-6 years with feeding difficulties (n=68, 33 autism spectrum disorder; 35 non-medically complex history) underwent multi-disciplinary assessment. All children were on a full oral diet and displayed no aspiration risk. Sensory processing was scored from the Sensory Profile and confirmed on clinical examination. Oral motor skills (eating from a spoon, chewing, biting, drinking from a cup) were assessed using the Pre-Feeding Checklist. Two experienced feeding therapists rated each child independently from video recording. A 3-day diet record assessed dietary intake, and a food list was used to determine dietary variety and group foods eaten according to broad categories (fruits/vegetables, protein-rich foods, and carbohydrate-rich foods). Results: Children with oral motor delay consumed significantly more daily energy (p<0.01) than those with normal oral motor skills, however, this difference was not significantly different once drinks were removed from calculations. Children with oral motor delay and/or heightened oral sensory sensitivity consumed significantly less fruits and vegetables (p=0.02). Discussion: Liquid energy, particularly from milk based drinks (including fortified) contributes to increased energy consumption in children with oral motor delay. This, in conjunction with reduced unprocessed fruits/vegetables is concerning, given that usual diet in childhood tracks into adulthood. Long-term preferences for easy-to-consume foods has implications for risk of overweight and obesity throughout life, as these foods are often energy dense at the expense of nutrients. In this context, oral motor abilities and oral sensitivity issues warrant attention in children with feeding difficulties.L6128918362016-11-10 <br />