The lifestyle behaviours of young adults with intellectual disabilities transitioning from school to adulthood: a feasibility study

Background: In the general population, the transition from adolescence to adulthood has been identified as a ‘high-risk’ period for weight gain. There has been no research examining health behaviours over this transition in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID).
Methods/design: The feasibility of recruitment, retention and relevant health behaviours were measured in 31 adolescents with mild-moderate ID. Anthropometric, objective physical activity, dietary and self-determination measures were collected over a 12-month transitional period from school to adulthood.
Results: Key results suggest weight and BMI increased significantly from month 6 to month 12 (p=0.044 and p=0.043). Waist circumference increased significantly from baseline to month 12 (p=0.049), and from month 6 to month 12 (p=0.03). Discussion: Recruiting and retaining young adults with ID over a 12 month health behaviour study is feasible. The data indicates the transition from school to adulthood may be the start of a high- risk period for weight gain.