Could a mediterranean diet ease picky eating in autism?
NCT ID NCT04652388
First seen Sep 02, 2026 · Last updated Sep 03, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Many children with autism are picky eaters, often refusing fruits, vegetables, and proteins, which can lead to poor nutrition and obesity. This trial tests whether nutritional counseling focused on the Mediterranean diet can help these children become less selective and adopt healthier eating habits. The study enrolls children aged 2 to 5 years with an autism diagnosis and food selectivity. Researchers will measure changes in food preferences, diet quality, and eating patterns over time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Nutritional counseling focused on the Mediterranean diet
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a practical, non-drug way to help children with autism eat a wider variety of foods and improve their overall nutrition.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 60 children, so results may not apply to all kids with autism. Dietary changes can be hard to sustain, and the study does not measure long-term effects.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2020
- Finished
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Sep 2022
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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24 to 60 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders * presence of food selectivity Exclusion Criteria: * Age at enrollment \<24 or\> 60 months. * Concomitant presence of other chronic diseases * epilepsy, * neurological syndromes, * immunodeficiencies, * diabetes, * congenital heart disease, * autoimmune diseases, * inborn errors of metabolism, * tuberculosis, * cystic fibrosis, * chronic respiratory tract diseases, * inflammatory bowel disease, * celiac disease, * eosinophilic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, * functional gastrointestinal disorders, * obesity, * tumors, * malnutrition * Major malformations or previous surgery of the gastrointestinal / urinary / respiratory tract.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Naples Federico II
Naples, Naples, 80131, Italy
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