Background: Scant data exist on weight loss interventions for youth with intellectual disabilities (ID).Objective: To compare weight loss among youth with ID randomized to a 6-month, family-based behavioural intervention (FBBI) or a waitlist and to compare weight loss among youth who completed a 6-month maintenance (FBBI-M) intervention to a control group (FBBI-C).Methods: Youth with ID and overweight/obesity, aged 14-22 years, were randomized to the FBBI or to a waitlist and subsequently randomized to a maintenance intervention or a control group. Sessions were held weekly during the FBBI and biweekly during the FBBI-M. Using an intention-to-treat approach, we used linear mixed models to test differences in the change in weight and in BMI from the start of FBBI.
Results:The 24 participants who received the FBBI lost, on average (SE), 5.1 (1.1) kg (P < .001) over 6 months. The 13 participants who were waitlisted gained, on average (SE), 1.2 (1.6) kg over the 6-month waiting period. At 12 months, those who received FBBI-M lost, on average (SE), 4.4 (1.7) kg more than those who received FBBI-C (À7.6 vs À3.2 kg, P-value = .008).
Conclusion:Participation in an intensive FBBI for weight loss with ID was efficacious, and continued participation in a maintenance intervention yielded additional weight loss.
Optimal health outcomes are positively correlated with regular exercise, yet nearly one-quarter of adults in the United States reportedly do not participate in physical activity during their free time. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of a gradually faded and a constant behavioral coaching schedule for increasing physical activity during the study, and to evaluate maintenance of treatment effects postintervention. Participants were divided into 2 groups; 1 group received weekly behavioral coaching sessions and the other group received behavioral coaching sessions that were systematically faded in frequency. Results showed an increase in mean frequency and duration of physical activity for participants in both groups from baseline to intervention. During the follow-up period, the duration of physical activity decreased for 5 participants in the continuous coaching group but for only 2 participants the faded coaching group. The faded coaching and constant coaching interventions were both effective for maintaining physical activity. Implications of the results and future research are discussed.
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