Individuals with Autism Needed for Nutrition Study
Anita Panjwani
Primary Investigator
Brief description of study
Why is this study being done?
Families of autistic individuals are invited to participate in a study to learn how personalized eating plans, nutrition education, and culinary skills can make a difference.
Who can take part?
Individuals 9-35 years with autism diagnosis by a medical provider.
Additional information
Study title: Personalized Nutrition, Education, Assessment, Real Food, and Lifestyle Support (PEARL) for Improving the Health of Individuals with Autism
This study is being conducted by Anita Panjwani, PhD MPH in the Department of Nutrition Science at Purdue University.
To learn more about Dr. Panjwani and her research interests, please visit this link: https://hhs.purdue.edu/directory/anita-panjwani/
Detailed description of study
What will happen during the study?
Participants must first enroll as patients of Precise Health Solutions (a private clinical group) to join the study. The PEARL study will supplement the clinical therapy with the following:
Participation Involves:
- Engaging in a 6-week family-based nutrition and culinary skills education program (total study length is 14 weeks).
- Completing online questionnaires on household characteristics, needs, and concerns at the beginning of the study.
- Completing a set of online questionnaires on behaviors and foods consumed in a day.
- Sharing your experiences and progress with us through regular feedback surveys.
Through Precise Health Solutions, participants will receive health and specialty lab services, a high-quality custom daily multivitamin-mineral, and organic food from the farm to supplement their diet all at no out-of-pocket cost (with approved insurance). Participants will be asked to follow an organic eating plan for 12 weeks.
Incentive/compensation
- You will receive a $60 gift card for completing all study activities.
Eligibility of study
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:
- Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD
-
Age: 9 years - 35 years
-
Gender: All
Inclusion Criteria:
- Formal diagnosis of ASD, verified by medical record once enrolled
- Aged between 9 and 35 years
- Potential participant is enrolled as a client of Precise Health Solutions (we will connect you with the clinicians once you complete the screening form)
- Parent/guardian must agree to complete questionnaires, provide support, and be committed to adherence
- Participant lives with parent/guardian full-time unless other guardian(s) are also fully committed to adherence
- Primary language spoken at home is English
- Family lives within the United States
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of serious illness, injury, or medical condition that limits the participant’s ability to engage in the intervention
