In case of children with disability, dietary intervention is advisable because:

(A) They need more nutrition than other children of their age

(B) They tend to have poor appetite

(C) They may not be able to chew regular food

(D) They need to be reinforced with food to manage their behaviour

(E) Nutritional aspects may be overlooked by parents

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

Children with disabilities often face dietary and nutritional challenges due to physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments. Dietary intervention is necessary to ensure proper growth, development, and overall health. The key reasons include:
1. They tend to have poor appetite (B):
· Many children with disabilities experience low appetite due to medication side effects, sensory issues, or digestive problems.
· Poor appetite can lead to nutrient deficiencies and inadequate growth.
2. They may not be able to chew regular food (C):
· Children with oral-motor impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome) may struggle with chewing and swallowing.
· Modified textures, soft foods, or tube feeding may be required to ensure proper nutrition.
3. Nutritional aspects may be overlooked by parents (E):
· Due to medical and caregiving demands, parents may unintentionally neglect the child’s dietary needs.
· Lack of awareness about special dietary requirements can lead to malnutrition or nutrient imbalances.
Information Booster:
· Proper dietary intervention can help manage growth, digestion, immunity, and overall well-being in children with disabilities.
· Specialized nutrition plans may include high-calorie diets, pureed foods, and supplements to meet individual needs.
Additional Knowledge:
· They need more nutrition than other children of their age (A) – Incorrect:
· While some conditions may increase nutritional needs, many children with disabilities have similar or lower energy needs due to reduced physical activity.
· They need to be reinforced with food to manage their behavior (D) – Incorrect:
· While food may be used as positive reinforcement, it is not a recommended primary approach for behavior management.
· Over-reliance on food for reinforcement may lead to unhealthy eating habits or obesity.