Nutritional intervention improves menu adequacy in group homes for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Background: Research documents that adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) living in the community experience nutritional deficits, inadequate diets, and poor nutritional status.

Objective: We developed a nutrition intervention that was targeted at improving the food systems in group homes for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, called MENU-AIDDs (Materials Supporting Education and Nutrition for Adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities).

Methods: MENU-AIDDs was implemented for 8 and 16 weeks in four community-based group homes for adults with IDD.

Nutrition and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities: systematic literature review results.

Approximately 4.5 million Americans have an intellectual or developmental disability. Concern is increasing about these individuals' nutrition-related behavior and its implications for their health.

Nutrition education and support program for community-dwelling adults with intellectual disabilities.

To test the efficacy, acceptability, and appropriateness of a nutrition education and support program, 4 community-based group homes for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities participated in a pilot intervention with extended baseline period and pre-post-test design. Adults (N = 32) with intellectual or developmental disabilities, 20 direct service staff, 4 managers of group homes, and 2 health specialists at private service providers participated in the intervention, consisting of a system of nutrition supports in nutrition education and guidelines, menu and meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking designed for the special needs of this population. Positive impacts were found using the program, including fidelity measures, food systems changes and acceptability to users, planned and served foods, and cost changes associated with implementation.