Diet quality among people with intellectual disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning.

David A A Gast,Bert Van Hemert,Amber Van Hoof,Robert Didden,Erik J Giltay,Gabriela L C De Wit,Jeanne H M De Vries

doi:10.1111/jar.12958

Abstract

BackgroundWe sought to assess diet quality among people with intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning, living in residential facilities or receiving day care.MethodsWe measured diet quality using the Dutch Healthy Diet Food Frequency Questionnaire (DHD) and compared this between participants with (n = 151) and controls without intellectual disabilities (n = 169). Potential correlates of diet quality were explored.ResultsWe found lower mean diet quality among people with intellectual disabilities (M = 80.9) compared to controls (M = 111.2; mean adjusted difference −28.4; 95% CI [−32.3, −24.5]; p < .001). Participants with borderline intellectual functioning and mild intellectual disabilities had lower diet quality and higher body mass index than individuals with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. Being female was a predictor of better diet quality.ConclusionsOverall, we found that diet quality was low in the sample of people with intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning.

Highlights

We sought to assess diet quality among people with intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning, living in residential facilities or receiving day care
We focused on the dietary intake of people with intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning, which is usually assessed using food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and food diaries (Koritsas & Iacono, 2016)
Using an ANCOVA, we assessed the difference in body mass index (BMI) between the severity groups of people with intellectual disabilities, adjusting for age and sex

Summary

Introduction

We sought to assess diet quality among people with intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning, living in residential facilities or receiving day care. Results: We found lower mean diet quality among people with intellectual disabilities (M = 80.9) compared to controls (M = 111.2; mean adjusted difference À28.4; 95% CI [À32.3, À24.5]; p < .001). Participants with borderline intellectual functioning and mild intellectual disabilities had lower diet quality and higher body mass index than individuals with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. Diabetes and stunted growth are examples of chronic diet-related health problems that are relatively prevalent in individuals with intellectual disabilities (Cushing et al, 2012; Ptomey & Wittenbrook, 2015). These health problems are not evenly distributed across the different severity levels among intellectual disabilities. Nutritional status among the different severity levels of intellectual disabilities needs to be systematically assessed to support effective nutritional interventions

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