Eating Experiences of People with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study in Spain

Abstract

Background: Disability causes changes in the eating process, which is central to the definition of each individual’s social and psychological spaces. Methods: This is a qualitative study based on grounded theory. Interviews were carried out in clinical hospital settings and headquarters of several disability organisations. The study included 27 individuals, aged between 18–75 years. All participants had a disability that caused a functional deficiency in the occupational aspects of the eating process. Results: The respondents’ narratives were analysed through observations made in different contexts, allowing us to describe and understand the significance attributed by the participants to their reality and experiences. Three key themes emerged from the analysis: (1) waning bodies (assumption of a diminished corporality); (2) redefinition of food-related social spaces; and (3) perceived burdensomeness, shame, and loneliness. Conclusions: Assisted feeding tends to prioritise the nutritional component of food ingestion. However, cultural, social, and contextual factors have a critical impact on an individual’s well-being and quality of life. This study stresses the importance of re-addressing intervention models affecting differently-abled people and incorporating approaches that take into account the contextual aspects of occupational therapy.