Sample population was Addis Ababa city in which subjects were selected from one of the two autism centers in the country. Random sampling method was applied to select subject from the total enrolled children in the center using Ryan 2013 sample size calculation formula.~Subjects already diagnose with autistic spectrum disorder that didn't have any other chronic disease that affect diet and nutrition were included in the study. Subjects were selected randomly from each grade level in the center. They were registered and taken for data collection. Sample and Data was collected with the help of each child's center caregiver and parent. Childhood autism rating scale diagnosis, eating behavior analysis were analyzed for the ASD and anthropometric indices Z scores, urine iodine concentration, three days food diary analysis, major meals proximate analysis, food frequency and dietary diversity was assessed and compared to typically developing children in Addis Ababa.~Data entry and analysis was conducted using Emergency Nutrition Assessment software, Microsoft excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.
The study conducts a case control analysis of the nutritional status and intake of autistic spectrum disorder diagnosed children as compared to typically developing children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It included analysis of anthropometric measurements, three days food diary food intake, urinary iodine analysis, childhood autism rating scale diagnosis, food frequency and eating behavior questioner and proximate analysis of one day major meals of selected subjects.