Nutrition Education for Cognitive Impaired Audiences

Abstract

Individuals with developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments have poor eating habits and are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and osteoporosis. We have found that there is a great need for a curriculum to serve the special needs of this population in Michigan. This curriculum was piloted with 120 people. The pilot sites include urban school settings, urban community settings as well as rural community sites. Eight lessons were delivered which included both food tasting and cooking. The target audience was adults with development disabilities and cognitive impairment. A work group was convened to identify current needs for curriculum to provide nutrition and physical activity education to cognitively impaired audiences. This group developed a survey to be completed by agencies that service participants that are cognitively impaired. This survey identified the optimal topics to be covered along with the preferred format for the delivery of nutrition and physical activity content. A literature review was also completed to assess current practices used in providing services to this population. Based on this information Healthy Eating Adds Up was identified for piloting. Protocols as well as evaluation tools were developed to pilot this curriculum. Strategies to increase our outreach and identify resources for this under served population were investigated. Teacher/Caregiver observations were used as the evaluation for this initiative. Improvements were seen in both physical activity and nutrition behaviors. This curriculum meets the needs of providing nutrition education to this vulnerable population. Continued outreach into this population will empower this under served population to make healthier choices and improve nutrition outcomes.