182272 Lifestyle modification following the Healthy Lifestyle Change Program, a novel community-based intervention for adults with developmental disabilities

Monday, October 27, 2008: 5:30 PM

Ida Shihady Diab, MPH , Westside Regional Center, Culver City, CA
Alicia T. Bazzano, MD, MPH , Westside Regional Center, Culver City, CA
Nicole Garro, MPH , Westside Regional Center, Culver City, CA
Danise Lehrer, LCSW , Westside Regional Center, Culver City, CA
Ari S. Zeldin, MD , Department of Neurosciences, UCSD/Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA
Background/Objective: Few healthy lifestyle interventions have been designed for people with developmental disabilities (DD), even though this population is at high risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease and other preventable health conditions due to inactivity, mobility limitations, medication side effects, and poor preventive health care. This study evaluates the effects of an innovative health intervention on lifestyle choices and health status of adults with DD.

Methods: A pre-post test design was used to evaluate the Healthy Lifestyle Change Program (HLCP), designed to increase knowledge, skills and self-efficacy regarding health, nutrition and fitness. Forty-five adult clients of Westside Regional Center with BMI≥25 completed education and exercise sessions twice weekly for 7 months. Peer mentors served as leaders and primary motivators. Weight, abdominal girth, physical activity, dietary habits, health knowledge, life-satisfaction, access to care, and self-efficacy were measured at baseline and 7 months.

Results: Two-thirds of participants maintained or lost weight. Abdominal girth decreased in 74% of participants (mean: -1.9 in). Sixty-one percent of participants reported increased physical activity. Significant improvements were reported in dietary habits. Knowledge of health, nutrition, and physical activity improved. Over half (59%) of participants showed improvements in life-satisfaction. Participants experienced enhanced confidence accessing health care. All participants received referrals and coordination for preventive, primary and specialty care.

Conclusions: The HLCP resulted in improved lifestyles and health status among adults with developmental disabilities. This program should be expanded and evaluated for larger populations with developmental disabilities because of their unique susceptibility to behavioral risk factors for preventable chronic disease.

Learning Objectives:
1) Understand the role of health promotion in decreasing obesity and preventing chronic illnesses in adults with developmental disabilities. 2) Identify health indicators that are modifiable in a population of adults with developmental disabilities and discuss strategies for promoting health among this population. 3) Apply concepts discussed in the presentation to develop and implement a health promotion program for adults with developmental disabilities using the Healthy Lifestyle Change Program curriculum as a template.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Physician Consultant with Westside Regional Center. I was involved in all steps of the development, implementation and evaluation of the Healthy Lifestyle Change Program. I also was involved in writing and editing the abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Disability and Community Based Health Technology Programs
See more of: Disability