A systematic review of obesity interventions targeting anthropometric changes in youth with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Due to the increased prevalence of obesity and disparity experienced by youth with intellectual disabilities, efforts to synthesize existing knowledge of interventions to attenuate obesity within this marginalized population is imperative. The purpose of this investigation is to systematically analyze interventions targeting anthropometric changes in youth with intellectual disabilities. A search of Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Educational Resources Information Center, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, and Psychological Information Database was conducted for the time frame of January 2006 to October 2016. Data extraction resulted in a total of 10 interventions that met inclusion criteria. Included studies mainly comprised participants having mild-to-moderate intellectual disability with diverse comorbidities. Five studies indicated significant positive outcomes in at least one anthropometric measure. The majority of programs utilized physical activity targeting individual-level change as the primary intervention modality. Weaknesses of the reviewed studies and inconclusive evidence indicate the need for additional research to gauge the effectiveness of interventions to treat obesity among youth with intellectual disabilities.

Barriers and facilitators of physical activity in adolescents with intellectual disabilities: An analysis informed by the COM‐B model

“…Historically, a noted limitation within health behaviour research, is that interventions often do not explicitly state the application of a theoretical framework guiding development (Michie et al, 2009 ). Notably, in a recent review of PA‐related obesity interventions in youth with intellectual disabilities, none of the studies explicitly stated the implementation of a theoretical framework (Conrad & Knowlden, 2020 ).…”

Effects of exercise training on obesity‐related parameters in people with intellectual disabilities: systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Efforts to synthesise existing knowledge concerning the effects of exercise interventions on obesity in people with ID have been made (Conrad & Knowlden 2020). Hamilton et al (2007) reviewed the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of interventions for obesity in ID and indicated that PA interventions proved to be effective in the short term and should be considered an essential component of a weight loss programme.…”

A family‐based weight loss randomized controlled trial for youth with intellectual disabilities

“…One of the few controlled, multi-component weight loss interventions for young adults with ID found that those enrolled in a 14-week trial using behaviour modification techniques lost more weight than did waitlisted participants, with evidence for continued weight loss during a 5-week maintenance period. 13 Two systematic reviews conducted in 2014 19 and 2018 20 identified only three additional controlled, multi-component interventions; however, one lacked a control group, 21 and one compared the intervention to a historical control group. 22 The third study, a small short-term RCT targeting PA and nutrition that leveraged technology, showed promising results.…”