Food and nutrition skills of mentally retarded adults: assessment and needs.

Nutrition assessment showed that 48% of the mentally retarded adults in this study were obese, pointing to present and/or past energy imbalances (11,14). Approximately 43% of the clients were consuming less than 50% of the RDAs for one or more nutrients. Diets were most frequently low (less than 75% RDAs) in iron, vitamin A, and calcium. Other problems included difficulties in shopping, menu planning, and food preparation. Clients scored a mean of 53.2% on the nutrition knowledge test. This program has made great progress in developing its clients' food and nutrition skills. But the study showed that ongoing reinforcement of basic nutrition knowledge and skills is critically needed, along with a practical cookbook to aid clients in applying nutrition principles to daily menu planning and food preparation. To fill the latter need, a food and nutrition manual for self-sufficient adults is currently being developed.