A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF DAY SCHOLAR AND HOSTELLER ADOLESCENT BOYS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

The present study was designed to assess the nutritional status of day scholar and hosteller adolescent boys with intellectual disabilities with the objective to assess the anthropometric measurement, hemoglobin parameter and also nutrient intake. Total 60 subjects were randomly selected, out of which 30 were day scholars from National Association for Integration and Rehabilitation of the Handicapped (NAIRH) and 30 were hostellers from Educational cum Vocational Association for Disabled (EVAD) of Faridabad. Questionnaire was developed including general information, intelligence quotient, 24 hour dietary recall method and data was collected by interviewing the subjects. The study revealed that 20% hostellers were underweight and 66% were overweight in comparison to 10% underweight day scholars and 3.3% were overweight day scholar. Consumption of all nutrients by majority of the boys was comparatively less than recommended dietary allowances. On comparing the dietary intake of hostellers and day scholars there was a significant difference at level p < 0.05 in energy, fats, carbohydrate and iron intake. Dietary data indicated that 90% of day scholars were consuming salad and no salad consumption pattern was seen among hostellers. Study also reported regular physical exercise pattern for 1-2 hours which was followed by both hosteller and day scholars. Association between hemoglobin level and intelligence quotient of day scholar and hosteller was found to be significant at p < 0.05. A positive correlation was observed when body mass index and intellectual disability of day scholars and hostellers were compared. Study concluded that those who are highly intellectually disabled are highly malnourished.