The lifestyle behaviours of young adults with intellectual disabilities as they transition from school to adulthood: a pilot and feasibility study

Mitchell, F., Stevens, G., Jahoda, A. , Matthews, L. , Hankey, C., Murray, H. and Melville, C. (2018) The lifestyle behaviours of young adults with intellectual disabilities as they transition from school to adulthood: a pilot and feasibility study. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(6), pp. 1154-1163. (doi: 10.1111/jar.12489) (PMID:29953690)

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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: Baily Thomas Charitable Fund, Grant/Award Number: TRUST/RNA/AC/KW/3427/6155
• Keywords: Education, developmental and educational psychology.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Matthews, Dr Lynsay and Jahoda, Professor Andrew and Murray, Mrs Heather and Hankey, Dr Catherine and Melville, Professor Craig
• Authors: Mitchell, F., Stevens, G., Jahoda, A., Matthews, L., Hankey, C., Murray, H., and Melville, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1360-2322
• ISSN (Online): 1468-3148
• Published Online: 28 June 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
• First Published: First published in Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 31(6): 1154-1163
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher