Brief Report
Improving food choices and nutrient adequacy in adolescents/young adults with developmental disabilities

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.05.003Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (DD) have higher incidences of overweight and obesity than the general population and are currently underserved in health promotion programs. Restricted diets due to sensory sensitivity and physiological difference are often followed by persons with DD resulting in nutrient inadequacies, which may contribute to overweight and obesity. Closing the gap of healthcare disparities for persons with DD must start by increasing awareness of factors causing overweight and obesity, and development of strategies and programs to reduce incidences of overweight and obesity for persons with DD.

Objective

To investigate if implementation of an appropriately planned nutrition education program resulted in changes in food choices that improve the nutrient adequacy of the diet as a method of combatting or controlling incidences of obesity and overweight in persons with DD.

Methods

Pre-study, post-intervention questionnaires were administered to assess participants' nutritional needs, aid in program design, and evaluate program appropriateness. Parental group discussions and nutrition education lessons were conducted over a 6-week period. Three-day food logs were collected and analyzed pre-study and post-intervention using the National Cancer Institute's ASA24-2014 software.

Results

Results showed reductions of intake of fat, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar, and increases in intake of fiber, Vitamins A, C, and D, but there were no statistically significant differences from pre-study to post-intervention for any nutrient at the p < 0.05 level except cholesterol.

Conclusions

Qualitative data indicated program success; changes in nutrient intake were insignificant, supporting the need for further research in this area.

Section snippets

Methods

Participatory research methodology was used to assess the impact of the addition of nutrition education sessions to the APA program on improving the food choices and nutrient adequacy of participants as a means of combatting or controlling obesity and overweight in person with DD. The study was based on Bandura's social cognitive theory, indicating that learning and change can occur through observation, modeling of behavior, and positive reinforcement.6 The program design included participatory

Data analysis criterion

Data analysis was limited to participants that attended all sessions and completed both pre-study and post-intervention HFBQ and 3-day food logs (N = 12).

Demographics

Participants had various disabilities, all were Caucasian with an equal gender distribution, and a mean age of 21.9. Table 1 summarizes participant breakdown by disability ethnicity, gender and age.

HFBQ part-one

The HFBQs part-one were transcribed and analyzed, examining the nutritional needs, constraints, and eating habits of participants, as well as parental nutritional knowledge and concerns. The transcribed data were coded, and emerging themes were found using the Atlas.ti qualitative software program. Themes included: weight issues, healthy and unhealthy food intake, sensory or texture issues, physical limitations, special diets, and social challenges to healthy eating. Analysis of this data was

Discussion

Results of this study suggested the need for an addition of a nutrition component to the APA program. Program reception was positive from parents and participants, as measured by the active participation in group activities, discussions, and HFBQ data. Responses part-two of the HFBQ indicated strong interest for the continuation or expansion of the current program. The study resulted in a reduction of fat, saturated fat, and sugar, and an increase in Vitamins A, C, and D, although values were

Conclusions

Results of this study suggested that well-planned nutrition education programs designed to meet the social, cognitive, and physical abilities of persons with DD had a positive impact on assisting those with DD and their families in making better food choices as a method of combatting or controlling incidences of obesity and overweight. Change in nutrient intakes were not statistically significant; however intakes of fat, saturated fat and sugar decreased, and intakes of Vitamins A, C, and D

Prior presentation

A poster of this research has been presented at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in 2015.

Statement of funding and conflicts of interest

No outside funding was used in the study. The author solely funded the study.

The author has no conflicts of interest or disclosures to report.

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