Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Nutrition and learning disabilities
- Author:
- GRASSICK Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 9.8.01, 2001, pp.48-50.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Nutrition plays a role in establishing and regaining health in individuals and populations, and people with learning disabilities are no exception.
Vitamin D deficiency in patients with intellectual disabilities: prevalence, risk factors and management strategies
- Authors:
- FRIGHI Valeria, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 205(6), 2014, pp.450-457.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Background: People with intellectual disabilities have a high risk of osteoporosis and fractures, which could partly be as a result of vitamin D deficiency. Aims: To compare the serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels of 155 patients with intellectual disabilities under psychiatric care and 192 controls, investigate potential risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in people with intellectual disabilities and assess available treatments. Method: Cross-sectional observational study followed by treatment evaluation. Results: Almost twice as many patients with intellectual disabilities had vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <50 nmol/l) compared with controls (77.3% v. 39.6%, P<0.0001). In the intellectual disabilities group, winter season (P<0.0001), dark skin pigmentation (P<0.0001), impaired mobility (P = 0.002) and obesity (P = 0.001) were independently associated with lower serum 25(OH)D. In most patients, 800 IU colecalciferol daily normalised 25(OH)D levels. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in people with intellectual disabilities, partly because of insufficient exposure to sunlight. Screening and treatment strategies, aiming to reduce these patients' high fracture risk, should be introduced. Similar strategies may be required in other psychiatric populations at risk for fractures and with a tendency to spend excessive time indoors. (Publisher abstract)
Qualitative study of malnutrition in people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- FRANSSEN Janine J. L., MAASKANT Marian A., SCHROJENSTEIN Henny M. J. van
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 8(4), December 2011, pp.239-246.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are vulnerable to underweight status, often because of co-occurring eating disorders. However, it is unclear whether this results in malnutrition. This qualitative study investigated the awareness and knowledge of three physicians, three dieticians, and three direct care staff regarding malnutrition in people with ID from six different service providers in the Netherlands. Semi-structured interviews were held to explore participants’ experiences with problems and possible solutions. Findings revealed that the dieticians and physicians saw malnutrition prevalent in persons with ID that their clients, but they were uncertain about why this was the case. However, the direct care staff were certain that malnutrition was not present. The authors suggested screening of high-risk persons for the presence of malnutrition, and recommended education of direct care staff about healthy nutrition and weight. In ending, the authors called for the development of a screening instrument for malnutrition specifically for people with ID.
Effects on physical health of a multicomponent programme for overweight and obesity for adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- MARTINEZ-ZARAGOZA Fermin, CAMPILLO-MARTINEZ Jose M., ATO-GARCIA Manuel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29(3), 2016, p.250–265.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Overweight and obesity are major health risk factors in people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a multicomponent programme (physical activity, diet and motivation) for overweight and obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities. Material and Methods: A quasi-experimental design with repeated-measures and non-equivalent control group (n = 33, n = 31) was used. The programme was conducted over 17 weeks, with follow-up at 6 months in a sample of Spanish adults with a mild and moderate intellectual disability from a community occupational day centre, aged from 23 to 50, 40.6% of which were women. Results: A significant reduction in weight and diastolic blood pressure was obtained over time, and this reduction was maintained in the follow-up for weight. Reduction in heart rate was only marginally significant. Conclusions:The treatment was effective in reducing overweight and obesity, improving cardiovascular capacity and therefore the physical health of the participants. (Publisher abstract)
Development of the Nutrition and Swallowing Checklist, a screening tool for nutrition risk and swallowing risk in people with intellectual disability
- Author:
- STEWART Lyn
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 28(2), June 2003, pp.171-187.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Nutritional problems in this population group are generally under-recognised by carers and professionals alike. Dysphagia and its consequences, including nutritional consequences, are also poorly recognised. In 1997 the New SouthWales Department of Community Services decided to develop a systematic approach to improving recognition, assessment, and management of nutrition problems and of dysphagia in its clients with intellectual disability. One of the strategies of the project was to develop a screening tool to improve awareness by care staff of nutrition risks and swallowing risks in the clients for whom they care. The Nutrition and Swallowing Checklist encourages carer involvement in identifying these risks and an interdisciplinary approach to the assessment and management of nutrition and dysphagia. This paper reports on the need for the screening tool and the development process up to the point of introduction into services.