Food groups and energy and nutrient intake in children with visual impairment

Abstract

  A dietary survey for children with visual impairment has hardly been reported worldwide. This present study clarifies the food groups and energy and nutrient intake by children with visual impairment. The actual state of the food groups, and the energy and energy-providing nutrient intake by visually impaired children were assessed, a comparison was made between blind and low-vision children, and a comparison was made between weekdays and weekends for children with visual impairment. A total of 22 visually impaired children participated in the study. Intake data were assessed over 3 days via meal weighing. Little difference was apparent in the energy-providing nutrient balance between visually impaired children and the data in the National Health and Nutrition Survey, and no difference was obvious in the intake between blind and low-vision children. The intake of some nutrients on weekdays was found to be significantly greater than the intake on weekends by both boys and girls.