Diet and Nutrition Education as Part of Programs for Young People with Down’s Syndrome Living in a Specialized Foundation in the City of Medellin, Colombia

Abstract

Background: Those living with Down’s syndrome present high prevalence of overweight due to genetic and environmental factors, which requires nutrition and dietary education to promote adequate health in this population. Objective: Design and evaluate education strategies pertinent to the promotion of an adequate nutritional status in school-aged children with Down’s syndrome. Materials and Methods: Action research with a sample of 13 children and their caregivers. Observations, nutritional screening, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and recreational activities were carried out for educational diagnosis. Furthermore, problems were prioritized, and educational strategies were designed, implemented, and evaluated with the caregivers. Results: Favorable and difficult aspects to eating were found, such as rejection of “healthy foods”, taste for “bad foods”, food anxiety, and little food knowledge. Activities were carried out with caregivers focused on difficulties, of which the most accepted and effective were the experiential and talk based. At the end, the participants expressed significant learning that they implemented in their daily lives and with their families. Modifications such as healthier food preparations, variety in diet, and changes towards healthier habits were evidenced. Conclusions: Participants gained knowledge on improving the diets of their children and families based on their needs and conditions, with strategies based on dialogue, practical and contextualized methodologies, and taking into consideration their viewpoints and concerns.