Weight Management for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Overview

Thank you for your interest in the Weight Maintenance Study with The University of Kansas - Energy Balance Lab (EBL) and University of Kansas Medical Center - Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management (CPAWM).

We are looking for adults (ages 18+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are not currently participating in a regular exercise program and are interested in starting a weight loss and physical activity program.

This study is a 24-month study. The first 6 months concentrate on weight loss, the next 12 months are a weight maintenance phase, and the last 6 months are a no-contact follow-up period. Individuals in this study will be randomized to one of two groups. Group 1 will have the intervention delivered using a face-to-face delivery. Group 2 will have the intervention delivered using technology. Both groups will use a stop light diet, enhanced with portion-controlled meals, and will be prescribed a program of increased moderate intensity physical activity. Participants and caregivers will attend 30-45 min sessions with a health educator once per month during the first 18 months.

The technology group will have the intervention delivered using Zoom Video Conferencing™, which is an iPad application that allows users to participate in real-time video conferencing. Self-monitoring for both diet and physical activity (PA) will be completed using web-based applications for diet (Lose it!) and PA (Fitbit). The technology group will participate in two 30-minute, live physical activity sessions led by a health educator each week for the first 18 months of the study. Each physical activity session will have 4-5 participants attending.

The face-to-face groups will have the intervention delivered during home-visit meetings and self-monitoring will be completed by pencil and paper records.

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have a diagnosis of an intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Have a BMI of 25 to 45 kg/m² (determined at official screening by our staff)
• Live at home with a parent/guardian, or in a supported living environment with a caregiver
• Have internet access in the home
• Be committed to a 24-month study

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

Need More Information?

Please feel free to contact our staff if you have any additional questions.

Joe Sherman, Coordinator

joesherman@ku.edu
785-813-5951