Dietary and anthropometric assessment of adults with cerebral palsy

Research on nutrition and cerebral palsy (CP) has been directed at newborns and young children, leaving practitioners with a limited understanding of the nutritional status of the adult population. The purpose of this study was to determine the anthropometric profile and nutrient intakes of 86 adults with cerebral palsy. When compared with growth standards for healthy individuals, the mean body fat percentages and body mass indexes of both men and women with CP were within the normal range. However, 40% of the sample had heights below the 5th percentile for their age and gender, indicating permanent growth stunting. In general, the diets of these individuals were similar to the typical American diet. Both men and women had low nutrient adequacy ratios (NARs) for calcium (0.86 and 0.76, respectively); the women also had low NARs for iron (0.69) and niacin (0.86). Although nutrients obtained from supplements were not included in the NAR score, 26% of the men and 50% of the women reported using nutritional supplements. Fifty-five percent of the sample reported feeding problems. Multivariate analysis illustrated that individuals who participated in regular exercise programs had significantly higher mean adequacy ratios and lower body fat percentages than those who did not exercise regularly.