A study of the dietary habits of cerebral palsied children

Abstract

Dietary habits of 30 cerebral palsied children were investigated in this study using seven-day intake records obtained from their parents. Each child was classified in terms of physiological and topographical involvement, functional capacity, and mental retardation. All food records were evaluated in terms of the four food groups, and the nutritional adequacy and consistency of the diet were analyzed. The average number of meals per day and the frequency and types of between-meal snacks were evaluated. The cerebral palsied children, as a group, showed pronounced deficiency in all four food groups being most deficient in the vegetable-fruit group and least deficient in the bread-cereals group. In terms of nutrients, the children showed deficiencies of iron, calories, niacin, ascorbic acid, and calcium, in the order listed. The children generally consumed soft food, ate their meals at surprising regularity, and snacked approximately three items per day. Their snacks consisted of items of high nutritional value. Dietary habits did not vary significantly when they were evaluated according to types of affliction. Some effects on the consumption of milk and fruits and vegetables were observed, but because each type of cerebral palsy was not well represented, results did not warrant definite conclusions.