198619 Effects of Physical Activity on Improving Body Composition in Individuals with Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Ming-De Chen , Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
James Rimmer, PhD , Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Kueifang (Kelly) Hsieh, PhD , Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
     
Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among people with physical and intellectual disabilities is substantially higher than people without disabilities. As noted in the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, healthy weight is one of the major outcomes of regular physical activity. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify studies reporting the effects of physical activity on body composition in people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Results: Ten studies were identified, including 4 randomized controlled trials, 2 controlled trials without randomization, and 4 pre-post trials without a control group across five disability groups: intellectual disability (n=3), Down syndrome (n=2), stroke (n=2), spinal cord injury (n=1), and muscular dystrophy (n=1), and one study included six different disability groups. Results found limited evidence of an effect on reducing body weight in any of the disability groups (Mean Percent Loss [MPL]=.74%; Standardized Mean Difference Effect Size [SMD]=.08; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], -.14 to .3); body mass index (MPL=1.15%; SMD=.08; 95%CI, -.08 to .24); percent body fat (MPL =.53%; SMD=.05; 95%CI, -.3 to .4); skinfold thickness (MPL=9.5%; SMD=.25; 95%CI, -.11 to .62); and waist circumference (MPL =2.27%; SMD=.27; 95%CI, -.19 to .73). Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of physical activity for reducing body weight/body fat in people with physical and intellectual disabilities. More research is needed to determine the effects of various doses (i.e., intensity, frequency, duration, type) of physical activity on weight loss in this population.

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the current evidence on the effects of physical activity interventions in reducing body weight/fat in people with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Keywords: Disability, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a doctoral student in Disability Studies program, UIC and have worked as a graduate assistant at the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability for 2 years. I also involved the process of development of Disability Section in the Federal Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report 2008.
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: Promoting the Health of People with Disabilities II
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