Nutrients, Vol. 18, Pages 304: Caught Between Vulnerability and Neglect: Nutrition in People with Intellectual Disabilities
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu18020304
Authors:
Ellen Margrete Iveland Ersfjord
Helen Kathrine Røstad-Tollefsen
Svein Olav Kolset
Arlene M. McGarty
People with intellectual disabilities are disproportionately affected by diet-related health inequalities. This Perspective outlines a dual challenge: (1) intrinsic vulnerabilities—cognitive limitations, health-literacy constraints, and comorbidities—that impair individuals’ ability to make healthy dietary choices, and (2) extrinsic neglect—insufficient support in care environments, inadequate nutrition-related training among informal caregivers and support staff, and structural gaps in policy and services. We argue that this “double jeopardy” undermines nutritional equity and proposes strategies for person-centered nutrition education, caregiver empowerment, supportive food environments, and inclusive policy frameworks. Greater interdisciplinary collaboration and tailored research are urgently needed to ensure nutritional health as a right for people with intellectual disabilities.
People with intellectual disabilities are disproportionately affected by diet-related health inequalities. This Perspective outlines a dual challenge: (1) intrinsic vulnerabilities—cognitive limitations, health-literacy constraints, and comorbidities—that impair individuals’ ability to make healthy dietary choices, and (2) extrinsic neglect—insufficient support in care environments, inadequate nutrition-related training among informal caregivers and support staff, and structural gaps in policy and services. We argue that this “double jeopardy” undermines nutritional equity and proposes strategies for person-centered nutrition education, caregiver empowerment, supportive food environments, and inclusive policy frameworks. Greater interdisciplinary collaboration and tailored research are urgently needed to ensure nutritional health as a right for people with intellectual disabilities. Read More