Fiona Mitchell1, Gemma Stevens2, Andrew Jahoda3, Lynsay Matthews4, Catherine Hankey5, Heather Murray6, Craig Melville3. 1. Physical Activity and Health Research Group, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. 2. School of Applied Social Studies, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK. 3. Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. 4. MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. 5. School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. 6. Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the general population, the transition from adolescence to adulthood has been identified as a "high-risk" period for weight gain. There has been no research examining health behaviours over this transition in adults with intellectual disabilities. METHODS/ DESIGN: The feasibility of recruitment, retention and relevant health behaviours were measured in 31 adolescents with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities. Anthropometric, objective physical activity, dietary and self-determination measures were collected over a 12-month transitional period from school to adulthood. RESULTS: Key results suggest weight and BMI increased significantly from month 6 to month 12 (p = 0.044 and p = 0.043). Waist circumference increased significantly from baseline to month 12 (p = 0.049), and from month 6 to month 12 (p = 0.03). DISCUSSION: Recruiting and retaining young adults with intellectual disabilities over a 12-month health behaviour study is feasible. The data indicate the transition from school to adulthood may be the start of a high-risk period for weight gain.
BACKGROUND: In the general population, the transition from adolescence to adulthood has been identified as a "high-risk" period for weight gain. There has been no research examining health behaviours over this transition in adults with intellectual disabilities. METHODS/ DESIGN: The feasibility of recruitment, retention and relevant health behaviours were measured in 31 adolescents with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities. Anthropometric, objective physical activity, dietary and self-determination measures were collected over a 12-month transitional period from school to adulthood. RESULTS: Key results suggest weight and BMI increased significantly from month 6 to month 12 (p = 0.044 and p = 0.043). Waist circumference increased significantly from baseline to month 12 (p = 0.049), and from month 6 to month 12 (p = 0.03). DISCUSSION: Recruiting and retaining young adults with intellectual disabilities over a 12-month health behaviour study is feasible. The data indicate the transition from school to adulthood may be the start of a high-risk period for weight gain.
Authors: María-Jesús Lirola; Gerardo Ruiz-Rico; Antonia-Irene Hernández-Rodríguez; María-Esther Prados-Megías Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-18 Impact factor: 3.390