School-based Physical Activity Intervention for Obesity Among Adolescents With Intellectual Disability in Hong Kong

School-based Physical Activity Intervention for Obesity Among Adolescents With Intellectual Disability in Hong Kong

Considering that children with intellectual disability (ID) might be more vulnerable to obesity than their counterparts in the general population. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an adapted physical activity (APA) program in reducing weight among adolescents with ID. The hypothesis of the study was the APA program would be able to decrease obesity among adolescents with ID.

Background: Children with intellectual disability (ID) might be more vulnerable to obesity than their counterparts in the general population. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an adapted physical activity (APA) program in reducing weight among adolescents with ID.

Methods: A 9-month randomized controlled trial of a school-based APA program was conducted in adolescents with ID and overweight/obesity in Hong Kong. The intervention group received the APA program which consisted of endurance and strength-building exercises at a frequency of two sessions per week, while the control group received routine PE classes as usual. Data on obesity-related variables were collected before the intervention, at the midpoint of the intervention and after the intervention. Linear mixed-effect models were used to examine the intervention effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged between 12 and 18 years
• overweight and obesity
• mild or moderate intellectual disability

Exclusion Criteria:

• physical disability
• medical predispositions towards obesity (genetic syndrome or drug treatment)
• contraindications (e.g. asthma, heart disease)
• having participated in other exercise programs in the past 6 months.