The Effect of Addition Foods Rich in Choline, Taurine,Omega 3 and Selenium on Learning Disability Children Meals,and its impact on Nutritional Status and Behavioral Problems

Abstract

The most serious behavioral problem for children were developmental learning disability, among 14 % in primary school suffer from it. Thence the present study aims to investigate the effect of addition some foods rich in choline, taurine, omega 3 and selenium to meals on the behavioral development and nutritional status of children with learning disability. Subjected sample were 21 children including: 8 females + 13 males with learning disability. They selected from one place (Hafez Ibrahim School, Hadayek Al.kobba, Cairo, Egypt). The study investigate nutritional status by using 24 hours recall, diet history, food habits, anthropometric measurements, clinical signs and behavioral status by Behavioral Indicators to Developmental Learning Disability Elementary Scale (BIDLDES). Some food such as cupcake with wheat germ, rissole soybeans and Strawberry yogurt mixer supplemented by peanuts, contain approximately 100% of (Reference Nutrients Intake) RNI from choline, taurine, omega 3 and selenium used as intervention for children with learning disability. Sensory evaluation had been done for the dietary intervention meals. The meals applied for 3 months rate of three meals / week. The important result was, food habits reflected that; 52.4% of total children did not had their breakfast, average intake of milk and dairy products was only 8. 4 units/wk. and water intake represented 795ml∕day besides juices preserved, soft drink and tea were (0.46, 0.75 & 0.62 cups ∕day) respectively. While clinical signs pre dietary intervention for all children revealed that pale skin, pale face gums bleeding and fingernails white spots, it happened to them improvement post dietary intervention. Beside female and male had normal height, weight, head circumference, Mid - Upper Arm Circumference MUAC pre and post dietary intervention, but measure fat body by Caliber was thinnest for female only (15.7mm) and after dietary intervention was normal (16.8 mm). Comparing with Recommended Dietary Allowance RDA & RNI, it was found that average intake before dietary intervention for water, Fe, Vitamin A, choline, taurine, omega 3 and selenium was (40.8, 55, 60, 29, 22, 10 &36%) respectivly,but after dietary intervention was (57, 63, 41.2, 112, 105, 101 & 123%) respectively. In addition to degree test of (BIDLDES was (61.5 &89 ) pre and post dietary intervention respectively. There were statistically significant differences between pre and post dietary intervention in choline, taurine, omega 3, selenium and scale axes at (P <0.01) as improvement situation. conclusion, increments for intake of meals rich in choline, taurine, omega 3 and selenium in home by mother's children and strengthening meals pupils in schools, such as cupcake with 50g wheat germ, rissole soybeans with 35g soybeans, strawberry yogurt mixer with 125g wheat germ + 125g peanuts at least 3 times / week to improve behavioral and nutritional status for children with learning disability. Keywords: Nutritional status – Behavioral status - Dietary Intervention- Choline –Taurien- Omega 3 –Selenium.