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NCHPAD - Building Healthy Inclusive Communities

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Nutrition


The role of diet in preventing chronic disease is well-established. The typical American diet is too high in saturated fat, cholesterol, salt, and sugar and too low in fiber and life-enhancing nutrients such as antioxidants. Some experts believe that as much as one third of coronary heart disease and cancer can be attributed to dietary factors. Obviously, people with disabilities have needs similar to those of the general population in terms of reducing unwanted fats, cholesterol, salt, and sugar in the diet. There is too high a consumption of unhealthy foods and too low a consumption of healthy foods.

A major emphasis in a nutrition program for people with disabilities should be relatively consistent with the general population. Proper eating habits and weight reduction strategies should be emphasized. Because overweight appears to be a greater problem among people with disabilities because of poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle, instruction in weight management strategies is essential.

It is also important to develop a nutrition program around the person's environment. Cultural and socioeconomic differences must be addressed if a nutrition program is to be successful. Suggesting to someone on a fixed income that he or she should eat more fish may be impractical, because fish is often more expensive than meat. Instruction in proper nutrition should be linked to the person's lifestyle, culture, and eating behavior.

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