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Eating well when living with an intellectual disability—Exploring the carer: client relationship in residential settings

Ellahi, Basma
; 
Özdemir, Aslıhan
; 
Chapman, Hazel M.
; 
Hall, Rebecca
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Affiliation
University of Chester; Hacettepe University; University of Salford
EPub Date
Publication Date
2025-11-30
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Allied Health
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Abstract
Background: Individuals with intellectual disabilities face increased risks of obesity and health issues. Carers in residential settings play a crucial role in shaping their dietary habits. This study explores how carers influence eating behaviours to identify strategies for healthy eating. Method: Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with carers from three community homes. Thematic analysis identified three key themes: (i) whose responsibility is it?; (ii) food autonomy and choice in the context of caring relationships; (iii) opportunities for working together to support dietary choices. Results: Carers strive to encourage healthy eating while respecting residents' autonomy, particularly in those with cognitive impairments or on psychotropic medications. They use strategies like rapport-building, personalised care, and nutrition education. However, these efforts are limited by gaps in knowledge, time constraints, and variation in application and impact. Conclusions: Findings highlight the practice gap and the need for better training and resources to support carers in promoting healthy food choices while respecting residents' autonomy.
Citation
Ellahi, B., Özdemir, A., Chapman, H. M., & Hall, R. (2025). Eating well when living with an intellectual disability—Exploring the carer: client relationship in residential settings. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 38(6), e70157. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.70157
Publisher
Wiley
Journal
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Research Unit
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10034/629795
DOI
10.1111/jar.70157
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
en
Description
© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Series/Report no.
ISSN
1360-2322
EISSN
1468-3148
ISBN
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This research was supported with funding from the University of Chester QR funds (QR 225).
Additional Links
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jar.70157