Curtin C, Bandini LG, Forquer M, Cullen P, Rancaño KM, Must A, Schreck K, Bowling AB, Askenazy N, Wei X, Irish C, Stanish HI. A remotely-delivered pilot and feasibility program to promote physical and food literacy in adolescents with intellectual disabilities.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2024;
37:e13228. [PMID:
38520166 PMCID:
PMC11108704 DOI:
10.1111/jar.13228]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Youth with intellectual disabilities experience disparities in physical activity and diet quality. Physical and food literacy are hypothesised to support adoption of healthy lifestyles; however, few such interventions have been developed for this population.
METHOD
Participants with intellectual disabilities ages 12-16 years were recruited for a 12-week online sports skills and nutrition education intervention. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy were assessed by attendance, satisfaction, and pre-post measures of motor skills, perceived competence and motivation for physical activity, classifying foods, making healthy choices, and food consumption.
RESULTS
Six teens participated in the program and attended 87.5% of the sessions. Satisfaction data suggested that the program was well-received by both teens and parents. Trends toward improvements on physical activity and nutrition outcome measures were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary data from this pilot study suggest that physical and food literacy in youth with intellectual disabilities can be improved, which in turn may contribute to the adoption of healthy lifestyles.
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