Korean J Nutr.  2012 Feb;45(1):44-56. 10.4163/kjn.2012.45.1.44.

A Study on Dietary Behavior and Nutrient Intake of Children with Developmental Disorders in Gyeongbuk Area

• Yoon MA
• Choi YS

• KMID: 2268622
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/kjn.2012.45.1.44

Abstract

This study investigated dietary behavior and nutrient intake in children with developmental disorders as compared with non-disabled children and assessed the relationship between dietary behavior and nutrient intake. The survey was conducted on 118 students (4th and 5th grade) of four special education schools and 244 students of an elementary school (control group). The survey was carried out using a questionnaire and an interview. Of the disabled children, children with a mental disorder comprised 72.9% and those with emotional disorders including autism comprised 26.3%. The average percentages of height and weight to standards for age were significantly lower in the disabled female children as compared with the non-disabled female children. Scores for table utensil handling skills, eating behavior, and an unbalanced diet were lower in the disabled children compared with those in the non-disabled children. Dietary behavior scores were not significantly different by either gender or age in the disabled children. Mean energy intake was less than the estimated energy requirement in both groups. Nutrients taken at less than the recommended intake level were calcium, iron, vitamin A, and folate in both groups. Food behavior score at mealtime, personal hygiene score at mealtime, and an unbalanced diet score were significantly correlated with iron and vitamin A intake in disabled male children. Personal hygiene score at mealtime was significantly correlated with calcium, iron, and vitamin A intake, and unbalanced diet score was significantly correlated with iron and vitamin A intake in disabled female children. Although the nutritional status of disabled children with developmental disorders was appropriate in general, improvement in their dietary behaviors through education and practice would allow them to eat balanced diets with essential nutrients.

Keyword

developmental disorder; disabled children; food behavior; nutrient intake

MeSH Terms

Autistic Disorder
Calcium
Child
Diet
Disabled Children
Education, Special
Energy Intake
Feeding Behavior
Female
Folic Acid
Handling (Psychology)
Humans
Hygiene
Iron
Male
Meals
Mental Disorders
Nutritional Status
Surveys and Questionnaires
Vitamin A
Calcium
Folic Acid
Iron
Vitamin A