Impactos da pandemia de covid-19 nos hábitos alimentares e saúde mental de crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impacts of social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic on children with autism treated at a child and adolescent psychosocial care center. Methods: Research carried out through the application of a questionnaire prepared in the Google forms tool. The participants were the parents or guardians of the child up to 12 years of age with autism or in a diagnostic investigation, attended at the CAPSi in the city of Sobradinho/DF. Results: In most of the items evaluated, the condition worsened in relation to the pre-pandemic period, with difficulties sleeping in 40% of cases, worsening in social interaction in 53.30% and irritability in 62.67% of children. Regarding food, there was an increase in appetite in 46.67% of children and in weight in 40%. In general, worsening eating habits were reported in 57.33% of cases. Conclusion: The measures to contain COVID-19 negatively affected the mental health of the population, requiring the creation of measures to help improve the mental health of the population.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, COVID-19, child, mental health, eating habits