Individual response to diet instructions by adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities

Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) have been reported to experience a higher prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and other obesity-related chronic diseases as compared to individuals without disabilities and this disparity is increasing (Reichard & Stolzle, under review). Saunders et al. (under review) attempted to address this major public health issue in a pilot study involving adults with IDD (n=73) in the state of Kansas. This intervention incorporated: ≤3 meal-replacement shakes, ≤2 frozen entrees (≤300 kcal), and a modified version of Epstein and Squires' (1988) Stop Light Diet for snacks and fruit and vegetable selections. Saunders et al. reported that participants lost an average of 6.3% of their body weight after 6 months which equated to 87.7% of the participants actually losing weight after exposure to the weight loss intervention. Upon retrospective review of these participants' food logs and 24 hour food recalls, there is growing evidence to suggest that most participants that lost weight selected to consume a limited number of food items from the diet as compared to the participants who gained weight. Individuals with IDD often engage in regimented routines which can be one of the criteria for diagnosis for certain developmental disabilities (APA, 2000). This retrospective data analysis indicates that a diet intervention that capitalizes on strict eating routines of individuals with IDD may yield significantly greater weight loss than diets interventions that do not offer clear eating routines. Specific recommended intervention components will be discussed.