The relationship between feeding problems and mental retardation

Eating is an essential adaptive function and in people with mental retardation، any deficit in feeding skills affects not only on quality of life but also on mental، social and educational development. This study was performed to determine the relationship between feeding problems and mental retardation. In this analytical-descriptive study، 114 individuals with mental retardation were included using random sampling. To gather the data، demographic and feeding problem questionnaires، and Stanford–Binet intelligence tests were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS، Version 12. The sample consisted of 63. 2% males. The mean age was 53/8 years. Findings indicated that there is a direct and positive relationship between feeding problems and the severity of mental retardation (P < 0. 001). Health problems due to feeding disorders in children with mental retardation may have a high prevalence in all aspects، and increasing severity of mental retardation will increase these problems.