Nutrition for Disabilities

Why is nutrition important for People Living with Disability?

Living with a disability comes with many challenges- one of them potentially having the ability and knowledge of selecting, preparing and cooking healthy foods. Early intervention with a dietitian can help to prevent some nutrition issues from arising or can help to improve those existing, such as severe weight loss or weight gain, nutritional deficiencies from food aversion or selectivity, chronic wound management or bowel issues such as constipation and diarrhoea.

Research indicates that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to be put on a special diet, for example, a combined gluten-free casein-free diet, even though recent studies have found that this does not have any impact on the behavioural symptoms (1,2). Other factors such as increased food selectivity by food category, texture, smell, colour, temperature or appearance (3,4) and the impact of medication on appetite (5) are also prevalent. All of these factors lead to a limited diet and therefore an increased risk of nutritional inadequacies (6), impacting on growth, immune function, healing and bone strength (7).

In the adult population, research suggests that people with intellectual disability are at an increased risk of developing diseases associated with obesity, inactivity and poor nutrition (8). The same study also showed that over half of these individuals had very little or no say in the type and time of food eaten, indicating involvement of support workers is incredibly important for improved health outcomes in this population.

What can a dietitian do for me?

Dietitians are qualified professionals in food and nutrition. We can help you to create nutrition goals for anything from preventing weight loss to helping manage blood sugar levels through food

A dietitian is trained to help you with:

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   Weight loss, malnutrition and poor growth

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Food aversion and selectivity

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   Excessive weight gain

·         Food allergies and intolerances

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    Diabetes and blood sugar level management

·         Bowel issues such as constipation or diarrhoea

·         Implementing texture-modified diets

·    Wound prevention and healing

    Developing meal plans to suit your needs

·         Reading food labels

·         Writing a shopping list and help navigate through a shopping centre by

· choosing healthy products in the supermarket to suit a clients needs

·         Making healthy meal choices when eating out

·         Assisting with Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN)

If you are a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant and have funding under Capacity Building for ‘Improved Daily Living Skills’ or ‘Improved Health and Wellbeing’, get in contact with Ward Nutrition (02 5301 6435) to book in a home visit in Central West NSW, a phone, Zoom or in-clinic consultation. CONTACT US NOW for more information or click here.

References:

1. González-Domenech PJ, Díaz Atienza F, García Pablos C, Fernández Soto ML, Martínez-Ortega JM, Gutiérrez-Rojas L. Influence of a Combined Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diet on Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A 12-Month Follow-Up Clinical Trial. J Autism Dev Disord. 2020 Mar;50(3):935-948. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04333-1. PMID: 31813108.

2. Piwowarczyk A, Horvath A, Łukasik J, Pisula E, Szajewska H. Gluten- and casein-free diet and autism spectrum disorders in children: a systematic review. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Mar;57(2):433-440. doi: 10.1007/s00394-017-1483-2. Epub 2017 Jun 13. PMID: 28612113.

3. Ahearn WH, Castine T, Nault K, Green G. An assessment of food acceptance in children with autism or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified. J Autism Dev Disord. 2001 Oct;31(5):505-11. doi: 10.1023/a:1012221026124. PMID: 11794415.

4. Cermak SA, Curtin C, Bandini LG. Food selectivity and sensory sensitivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110(2):238-246. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2009.10.032

5. Storebø OJ, Ramstad E, Krogh HB, Nilausen TD, Skoog M, Holmskov M, Rosendal S, Groth C, Magnusson FL, Moreira-Maia CR, Gillies D, Buch Rasmussen K, Gauci D, Zwi M, Kirubakaran R, Forsbøl B, Simonsen E, Gluud C. Methylphenidate for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Nov 25;(11):CD009885. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009885.pub2. PMID: 26599576.

6. Sharp WG, Postorino V, McCracken CE, Berry RC, Criado KK, Burrell TL, Scahill L. Dietary Intake, Nutrient Status, and Growth Parameters in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Severe Food Selectivity: An Electronic Medical Record Review. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2018 Oct;118(10):1943-1950. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2018.05.005. Epub 2018 Jul 10. PMID: 30005820.

7. McIntosh CE, Kandiah J, Boucher NR. Practical Considerations for School Nurses in Improving the Nutrition of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. NASN Sch Nurse. 2019 Sep;34(5):296-302. doi: 10.1177/1942602X18822775. Epub 2019 Jan 22. PMID: 30667297.

8. Koritsas S, Iacono T. Weight, nutrition, food choice, and physical activity in adults with intellectual disability. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2016 Apr;60(4):355-364. doi: 10.1111/jir.12254. Epub 2015 Dec 29. PMID: 26712472.