Optimal nutrition for bone health in people with a learning disability
Intended for healthcare professionals
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Optimal nutrition for bone health in people with a learning disability

Lynette Harper Senior lecturer in learning disability nursing, Kingston University, London

People with learning disabilities are at increased risk of low bone mineral density, osteopenia, osteoporosis and fractures, compared to the general population, mainly due to higher levels of obesity or undernutrition, reduced weight-bearing exercise, and polypharmacy, including anti-epileptic and antipsychotic medications. Healthy lifestyles that reduce obesity and ensure adequate levels of vitamin D, calcium, protein, and a variety of vegetables, can protect people from developing musculoskeletal diseases and support bone health. Families, carers, and service users are seeking advice increasingly on the use of supplements that target bone health. This article reviews the evidence on bone health in people with learning disabilities, and examines the benefits of vitamin supplements and dietary approaches. It also makes some recommendations for practice.

Learning Disability Practice. 20, 1, 31-35. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2017.e1783

Correspondence

minettaminette@yahoo.co.uk Lynette.Harper@sgul.kingston.ac.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 19 July 2016

Accepted: 12 December 2016

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