265092 Weight Loss Intervention for Adults with Physical Disabilities

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Amanda Reichard, PhD , KU Research and Training Center on Independent Living and University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Muriel Saunders, PhD , Institute of Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Weight loss, an important component of chronic disease management can be more difficult for people with disabilities and their care providers compared to individuals with no disability. Although individuals with physical disabilities are more likely to be obese than the general population, few studies have implemented interventions that address the unique needs of individuals with mobility impairments, including weight loss. This information is necessary to raise awareness and change behaviors among individuals with disabilities, and to influence state and national coverage policies.

This project involved a randomized trial of an intervention to evaluate weight loss and weight management among individuals with mobility impairments. Participants were trained and supported to follow either the Stop Light Diet (SLD) or the Usual Care (UC) diet recommended by NHLBI. After receiving training, they met monthly for 18 months with staff for support, 24-hour food recalls, and to weigh in. We also assessed their acceptance of the project and the influence of participating in the study on their community participation.

In this presentation, data will be presented that address the following hypotheses: 1. The SLD group will have significantly greater weight loss at 6 months versus the UC group. 2. The SLD group will have significantly less weight regain over the 12 month follow-up versus the UC group. 3. The SLD group will have significantly fewer hospitalizations due to chronic illness than the UC group. 4. The SLD group will participate in the community to a greater extent than the UC group after the intervention.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the importance of tailoring public health programming to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. 2. Describe the implications of health insurance coverage for health promotion activities, such as weight loss, designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. 3. Describe the methods and results of a successful weight loss intervention for people with mobility impairments. 4. Describe what important next steps are needed in related research and policy.

Keywords: Disability, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal or co-principal investigator of multiple federally funded grants focusing on health services research related to people with disabilities.
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.

Back to: 4167.0: Disability Section Poster Session 5