Influence of Food Sensory Properties on Eating Behaviors in Children with Down Syndrome

This study examined how food sensory characteristics (texture, flavor, taste, shape, size) affect food acceptance and eating behaviors in 111 children with Down syndrome aged 11-58 months through home-based testing and behavioral coding. Results showed that texture was the most influential sensory property, particularly affecting overstuffing and choking/gagging behaviors, with effects varying by age group.