Physical activity, dietary habits and overall health in overweight and obese children and youth with intellectual disability or autism

Hinckson EA, Dickinson A, Water T, Sands M, Penman L.  Centre for Child Health Research, Institute of Public Health and Mental Health, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. erica.hinckson@aut.ac.nz.  Res Dev Disabil. 2013 Apr;34(4):1170-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.12.006. Epub 2013 Feb 9. In children and youth with disability, the risk of obesity is higher and is associated […]

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Sports and disability.

Participation in recreational and competitive sports at an early age has long been touted as a positive influence on growth and development, and for fostering lifelong healthy lifestyles. The benefits of an active lifestyle include not only fitness, but the promotion of a sense of inclusion and improved self-esteem. These benefits are well documented in […]

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Position of the American Dietetic Association: Providing nutrition services for people with developmental disabilities and special health care needs.

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that nutrition services provided by registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs), are essential components of comprehensive care for all people with developmental disabilities and special health care needs. Nutrition services should be provided throughout life in a manner that is interdisciplinary, family-centered, community-based, and […]

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The Healthy Lifestyle Change Program: a pilot of a community-based health promotion intervention for adults with developmental disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Although adults with developmental disabilities are at high risk for obesity and its sequelae, few community-based lifestyle interventions targeting those with developmental disabilities exist. DESIGN: The study was a single group, community-based demonstration project with pre-post test evaluation conducted from December 2005 to June 2006. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Eligible participants were 431 community-dwelling adults with developmental […]

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Greater daily leisure time physical activity is associated with lower chronic disease risk in adults with spinal cord injury.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and common risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes in community-dwelling adults with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). LTPA was measured using the Physical Activity Recall Assessment for People with SCI in 76 men and women […]

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Nutrition and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities: systematic literature review results.

Approximately 4.5 million Americans have an intellectual or developmental disability. Concern is increasing about these individuals’ nutrition-related behavior and its implications for their health. This article reports on a systematic search of the current literature listed in the PsycINFO and PubMed databases related to nutritional status of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The authors […]

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A randomized controlled trial to increase physical activity and reduce obesity in a predominantly African American group of women with mobility disabilities and severe obesity.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial tested a tailored, telephone-based physical activity coaching intervention for a predominantly African American group of women with severe obesity and mobility disability. METHODS: We recruited 92 clinic patients from the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center referred by their physicians during 2004-2007 and randomized participants to one of three […]

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Update on physical activity including special needs populations.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Childhood obesity rates remain high, especially among adolescents, minorities, and children with disabilities. The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association have released recommendations for childhood obesity treatment and prevention which include interventions related to physical and sedentary activity. This review explores recent updates in the area of physical activity and […]

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The prevalence of overweight and obesity in veterans with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity in veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS) enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and to compare the prevalence in this group with gender-specific published rates for the general population of veterans receiving outpatient care at VA medical facilities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study linking […]

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