Exploring behavioral pediatric feeding problems and parental perceptions among children with developmental disabilities

Objectives The objectives of the study are to assess and seek the association of behavioral pediatric feeding problems, parental problems, and strategies with selected variables among developmentally disabled children. Materials and Methods The study used a cross-sectional design including 150 children aged 6–11 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, specific language disability, and Down syndrome in Child Developmental Center of Safdarjung hospital, selected through purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through structured interviews, anthropometric measurements, and behavioral pediatric feeding assessment. Results Mean behavioral feeding problem score and parent’s pediatric feeding problem score were higher in children with ASD, ADHD, and intellectual disability. It was found that P -values for maternal occupation ( P = 0.027), nutritional status ( P = 0.000), and diagnosis of child ( P = 0.002) were found to be statistically significant at 0.05 level of significance to seek the association between behavioral pediatric feeding problem among children with developmental disabilities and the selected variables, whereas the P -values for mode of delivery ( P = 0.016), nutritional status ( P = 0.000), diagnosis of child ( P = 0.003), and socioeconomic status ( P = 0.050) were found to be statistically significant at 0.05 level of significance to seek the association between parent’s pediatric feeding problem and strategies among children with developmental disabilities and the selected variables. Conclusion Parental problems and their strategies may play a vital role in behavioral feeding problems among children with developmental disabilities which are further affected by various factors.