A SURVEY OF DIETARY PROBLEMS OF ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY

Abstract

A survey of nutritional status and dietary problems in adults with learning disabilities aged 20–50 years and living in the general community is reported. The frequency of overweight (BMI 25–30) and obese (BMI >30) women (and in Down Syndrome subjects both men and women) was more than twice that in their community controls. No significant difference in BMI categories was found in the men. Hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia were more frequent in overweight and obese learning disabled women than in their community counterparts. These results indicate a need for specific nutrition education programmes, in concert with proper nutritional assessment and dietary intervention.