Food and nutrition practices among adults with intellectual disability living in group homes

Abstract

Background: Living arrangements for people with intellectual disability (ID) have changed from institutional to community-living settings. There is limited literature on the food and nutrition intake and food provision systems of adults with ID, particularly in group homes. Objectives: This thesis aimed to 1) describe the food and nutrient intakes of a sample of adults with ID living in group homes in an urban area of Australia 2) assess the food and nutrition knowledge of the carers of people with ID compared to an Australian community sample, and 3) explore the practices of food provision by carers of people with ID. Methods: The three main aims were investigated by 1) three-day weighed food records and digital food photography 2) a survey of general nutrition knowledge of carers, compared to an Australian community sample and 3) a qualitative study of interviews with managers and carers of people with ID to explore current food provision practices. Results: People with ID (n=33), living in 7 group homes(Men:14; Women:19) were recruited. The macronutrient intakes generally met the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges. Mean nutrient intakes were below the Estimated Average Requirements in both men and women for magnesium (M:86%;W:63%), calcium (M:43%;W:78%) and iodine (M:43%;W:47%). Carers (n=40) scored significantly lower nutrition knowledge scores compared to people in the general community (n=549) (56.6 vs 67.2, P<0.0005). Finally, the interviews (n=17) indicated that carers and managers’ level of understanding about healthy food choices were mixed. Conclusion: The studies of this thesis indicated that the quality of food and nutrient intakes of men and women with ID living in the group homes was poor and nutrition knowledge was limited. There is an urgent need to address the nutrition support provided in group homes from both a practical and policy perspective.