Dietary intake among physically disabled children

Malnutrition can potentially prone a disabled child to further morbidities thus imposing further suffering to the affected child and his/her family. The aim of this is determination of dietary intake among physically disabled children. 163 physically disabled children aged 6-12 yeas old, of both sexes, and from Tehran were enrolled in a descriptive cross-sectional study. Dietary assessment was performed for disabled children using 24hr and food-frequency questionnaires (92 food item). Calcium and iron intake in disabled children were 76% and 56% of RDA, respectively. In the physically disabled children, the intake of protein, calcium and riboflavin in girls was significantly lower than the boys (p<0.05) while the energy intake did not show any significant difference between two groups. In disabled children, while the mean energy intake was more than 90% of the amount required, mean calcium and iron intakes were 75.8% and 58.7% of the corresponding required amounts. Despite absence of significant difference in energy and fat intake, the intakes of protein, calcium and riboflavin were significantly lower in girls than in boys (p<0.05). Prevalence deficiency of energy and some nutrient intake among disabled children are high. It seems that poor food composition is a more important contributing factor than total low calorie intake. Nutritional education of the disabled children’s care givers and notably mothers to improve child’s food quality and feeding techniques is therefore needed.