Nutrition Services Program
The mission of the Nutrition Services Program is to improve the quantity and quality of nutrition services available to children and youth with disabilities in West Virginia and to increase awareness of the importance of nutrition services on the local, state and national levels.
Nutrition and Disabilities
Nutrition is essential for promoting growth and development in children and promoting and maintaining good health in adults. Good nutrition enables individuals to reach their full physical, mental, and emotional potential. Individuals with disabilities are often at risk for nutritional problems resulting from:
- Special eating or feeding problems that make it difficult to meet nutritional needs
- Movement or neurological limitations that affect activity levels and alter calorie needs
- Weight problems (overweight or under weight)
- Diets that are inappropriate or unbalanced
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies and other side effects of long term or multiple medications
- Alternate forms of feeding, such as G & J feeding tubes
- Special nutrient requirements.