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The lifestyle behaviours of young adults with intellectual disabilities as they transition from school to adulthood: A pilot and feasibility study
Author(s) -
Mitchell Fiona,
Stevens Gemma,
Jahoda Andrew,
Matthews Lynsay,
Hankey Catherine,
Murray Heather,
Melville Craig
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.12489
Subject(s) - young adult , intellectual disability , waist , anthropometry , psychology , population , gerontology , developmental psychology , body mass index , medicine , psychiatry , environmental health , pathology
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.