From institution to foster care: impact on nutritional status.

Abstract

Eighty-two clients who were transferred from a residential institution to foster-care homes were provided nutrition services as part of their Individual Program Plans. Findings of the nutrition assessment and intervention were analyzed to document the impact of deinstitutionalization and nutrition services. Nutrition-related problems identified were closely associated to the medical problems. More than half of the clients were diagnosed as having seizures and cerebral palsy and were, therefore, at high nutritional risk because of feeding problems and anticonvulsant-induced malnutrition. Forty-three of the 47 clients who were reassessed showed positive changes in height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness, dietary adequacy, and/or biochemical indices.