According to Gram Research analysis, nearly half of children with autism in Central Vietnam (45.8%) have zinc deficiency, and most don’t eat enough fiber, calcium, vitamin C, or iodine. A 2026 cross-sectional study of 48 children aged 2-9 found that their diets consist mainly of rice and grains with rarely any vegetables, beans, dairy, or meat. These findings show that children with autism in low-income countries face serious nutrition gaps that require early screening and dietary improvements.
Researchers in Central Vietnam studied 48 children with autism to understand their nutrition problems. They found that nearly half of these children don’t get enough zinc, and most aren’t eating enough fiber, calcium, or vitamin C. The study also discovered that some children are underweight while others are overweight—a confusing mix of nutrition problems. These findings show that children with autism in low-income countries need special attention to their diets, and doctors should screen them early for nutrition problems to help them grow and develop properly.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 48 children with autism in Central Vietnam found that 45.8% have zinc deficiency, with 97% not consuming enough iodine and 64.6% not getting adequate zinc or vitamin C from their diets.
According to research reviewed by Gram, 20.8% of children with autism in the study showed stunting (being too short for their age), while 16.7% were underweight and 6.3% were overweight or obese, revealing a triple burden of malnutrition.
The 2026 Vietnam study revealed that older children with autism (ages 5-9) were significantly more likely to have inadequate calcium intake than younger children, with 73.9% versus 40.0% not meeting calcium recommendations.
Research showed that 16.7% of the 48 children studied had two concurrent micronutrient deficiencies, and 10.4% had anemia, indicating widespread and interconnected nutrition problems.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether children with autism in Central Vietnam are getting enough vitamins and minerals in their food, and what they typically eat
- Who participated: 48 children aged 2-9 years old who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, recruited from five autism centers in Central Vietnam
- Key finding: Nearly half (45.8%) of the children don’t have enough zinc in their blood, and most children aren’t eating enough fiber, calcium, vitamin C, or iodine compared to what health experts recommend
- What it means for you: If you have a child with autism, especially in a low-income country, getting their nutrition checked by a doctor is important. Adding more vegetables, dairy, beans, and animal foods to their diet could help them get the nutrients they need to grow and stay healthy
The Research Details
Researchers asked the parents or caregivers of 48 children with autism in Vietnam to describe everything their child ate over 24 hours and over the past month. They also measured how tall and heavy each child was and took blood samples to check for specific vitamins and minerals like zinc, iron, and hemoglobin (which carries oxygen in the blood). They compared younger children (under 5 years old) with older children (5-9 years old) to see if age made a difference in their nutrition.
This type of study is called a ‘cross-sectional survey,’ which means researchers looked at all the children at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. It’s like taking a snapshot of their nutrition status right now, rather than a video of how it changes over time.
The researchers used special math methods to make sure their findings were reliable, even though the group was small. They compared their results to official nutrition guidelines from the World Health Organization to figure out which children weren’t getting enough nutrients.
This research approach is important because children with autism in low-income countries haven’t been studied much before. By collecting real information about what these children actually eat and measuring their blood levels of key nutrients, the researchers can see exactly what nutrition problems exist. This helps doctors and nutrition experts design better programs to help these children, rather than just guessing what might help.
The study is reliable for showing what’s happening in this specific group of children in Central Vietnam, but it’s a small group (48 children), so the results may not apply to all children with autism everywhere. The researchers measured actual blood levels of nutrients, which is more accurate than just asking about food. However, because this is a snapshot in time rather than following children over months, we can’t know if these problems are getting better or worse. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts checked the work before it was published.
What the Results Show
The study found a serious nutrition problem in these children with autism. Nearly half (45.8%) don’t have enough zinc in their blood, which is needed for growth and fighting infections. One in six children (16.7%) had low iron stores, and about one in ten (10.4%) had anemia, meaning their blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen.
At the same time, the children aren’t eating enough of many important foods. Almost all children (97%) aren’t getting enough iodine, which helps the brain develop. About two-thirds aren’t getting enough zinc or vitamin C from their food. More than half aren’t eating enough calcium, which is crucial for strong bones.
Interestingly, the children’s diets are very limited. They eat mostly rice and grains, but rarely eat beans, vegetables, dairy products, or meat. This explains why they’re missing so many nutrients. The children are also not eating enough fiber, which helps digestion.
The study also found a confusing mix of weight problems: some children (16.7%) are underweight, some (20.8%) are too short for their age (stunting), while a smaller group (6.3%) are overweight or obese. This ’triple burden’ means some children aren’t getting enough food while others are getting too much of the wrong kind of food.
Older children (ages 5-9) were more likely to not get enough calcium than younger children (73.9% versus 40.0%), suggesting that as children with autism get older, their diets may become even more limited. About one in six children (16.7%) had two different micronutrient deficiencies at the same time, showing that the nutrition problems are widespread and interconnected. The children’s total energy intake was about 85% of what’s recommended, meaning they’re eating slightly less food overall than they should.
This is one of the first detailed studies of nutrition in children with autism in a low-income country. Previous research in wealthier countries has shown that children with autism sometimes have limited diets, but this study shows that in Vietnam, the problem is much more serious because families have fewer food choices available. The high rate of zinc deficiency (45.8%) is particularly concerning and higher than what’s typically seen in the general population of Vietnamese children, suggesting that children with autism may need special attention.
The study only included 48 children from five centers in Central Vietnam, so the results may not apply to all children with autism in Vietnam or other countries. The researchers only asked about food once, so they don’t know if this is typical for these children year-round. They didn’t measure some other important nutrients like vitamin A or vitamin D. The study doesn’t explain why children with autism have these nutrition problems—it just shows that they do. Finally, because this is a snapshot in time, we don’t know if these children’s nutrition improved or got worse after the study ended.
The Bottom Line
Strong evidence supports early nutrition screening for all children with autism in low-income settings. Healthcare providers should check blood levels of zinc, iron, and hemoglobin. Moderate evidence supports adding more vegetables, beans, dairy, and animal-source foods to children’s diets. Families should work with nutrition experts to gradually introduce new foods, as children with autism may resist dietary changes. Fiber intake should be increased carefully to avoid digestive problems.
Parents and caregivers of children with autism should care about this research, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Healthcare providers, nutritionists, and autism specialists should use these findings to screen children and improve their diets. This research is less directly relevant to families in wealthy countries with more food variety available, though some findings may still apply. Teachers and school staff working with children with autism should understand that nutrition problems are common and may affect learning and behavior.
Nutrition improvements take time. Parents might see better energy levels and fewer infections within 2-4 weeks of adding more nutrient-rich foods. Growth improvements and better development may take 3-6 months. Blood levels of nutrients typically improve within 2-3 months of consistent dietary changes or supplementation, though this should be monitored by a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do children with autism have more nutrition problems than other kids?
Children with autism often have limited food preferences and may resist trying new foods, making their diets less varied. In low-income countries with fewer food choices available, this creates serious nutrition gaps. The study didn’t explain why, but showed that these children eat mostly rice and rarely eat vegetables, beans, or animal foods.
What is zinc deficiency and why does it matter for kids with autism?
Zinc helps children grow, develop their brains, and fight infections. The study found 45.8% of children with autism in Vietnam don’t have enough zinc in their blood. Without enough zinc, children may grow slower, get sick more often, and have trouble learning and concentrating.
Can you fix nutrition problems in children with autism by changing their diet?
Yes, dietary changes can help, but they take time and patience. Adding more vegetables, beans, dairy, and meat gradually to a child’s meals can improve nutrient levels within 2-3 months. Blood tests can show if the changes are working. Working with a nutrition expert helps because children with autism may resist new foods.
Should all children with autism get blood tests for nutrition problems?
The study strongly suggests that children with autism, especially in low-income countries, should be screened for nutrition deficiencies. Blood tests can measure zinc, iron, and hemoglobin levels. Early screening helps doctors catch problems before they affect growth and development, and guides decisions about diet changes or supplements.
Does this research apply to children with autism in wealthy countries?
This study focused on Vietnam, where food choices are limited. Children with autism in wealthier countries with more food variety available may have different nutrition problems. However, the finding that children with autism often have limited diets applies everywhere, so some recommendations may still be helpful.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily food intake using a simple food diary, noting servings of vegetables, beans, dairy, and animal proteins. Measure and record the child’s weight and height monthly to monitor growth patterns. If blood tests are available, track zinc, iron, and hemoglobin levels every 3 months to see if dietary changes are working.
- Start by adding one new nutrient-rich food per week to the child’s diet. For example, add beans to rice dishes, include a vegetable with each meal, or introduce dairy products like yogurt. Use the app to set reminders for meal times and to log which new foods were tried. Celebrate small wins when the child accepts a new food.
- Use the app to create a weekly nutrition checklist covering the main food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, proteins). Track which nutrients the child is getting from food. Set monthly goals for increasing variety. If the child has had blood tests, input those results and track changes over time. Share this data with the child’s doctor to guide supplementation decisions.
This research describes nutrition patterns in a specific group of 48 children with autism in Central Vietnam and should not be used to diagnose or treat individual children. Parents and caregivers should consult with their child’s healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes or starting supplements. Blood tests and professional nutrition assessment are needed to determine if a specific child has micronutrient deficiencies. This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.