Efficacy of Health Intervention for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Project Description:
Need: People with intellectual disabilities typically have poorer health than the general population, including higher rates of obesity and obesity-related conditions. Yet there are few health promotion and disease prevention programs focused on individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Goals and objectives: The long-term objectives of the proposed project are to increase the health of persons with intellectual disabilities by establishing the efficacy of the Healthy Lifestyles (HL) health promotion program for use with this population. Previous research has established the effectiveness of the HL intervention among a cross-disability population in increasing health behavior adoption. The specific aim of the Healthy Lifestyles for People with Intellectual Disabilities project is to empirically test the efficacy of the HL program among adults with intellectual disabilities.
Features: The project uses a randomized control study design. We will test the HL intervention with 75 adults and compare results to those of an additional 75 adults who receive no intervention. Measurement will include anthropometric assessments to measure impacts on overweight and obesity, as well as self-report measures of healthy behaviors, health status, health care utilization, and secondary conditions. Results will be shared with research participants, presented through professional conferences and newsletters, and published in peer-reviewed journals with the assistance of community partners.
Expected benefits: Participants are expected to gain increased knowledge of how to live a healthy lifestyle, increase participation in healthy behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating, and lose weight. Control group participants will be eligible to participate in future HL workshops after research participation is completed.
Keyword(s):
intellectual disability, health promotion, randomized control trial (RCT)
Core Function(s):
Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Adults with Disabilities
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Mulit-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
