Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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The prevalence and determinants of obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- MELVILLE C.A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(5), September 2008, pp.425-437.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This was a cross-sectional study of all adults with intellectual disabilities, in a defined geographical area of Scotland, in the context of a primary care health screening programme. A total of 945 adults with intellectual disabilities were involved, all of whom were living in the community. Body mass index (BMI), demographic characteristics, socio-economic deprivation, level of intellectual disabilities and various health parameters were measured. Overall, 39.3% of women and 27.8% of men were obese, compared with 25.1% of women and 22.7% of men in the comparison general population. The mean BMI of women with intellectual disabilities was significantly greater than the mean BMI of men with intellectual disabilities, and women were more likely to be obese than men with intellectual disabilities. Regression analyses showed that for both women and men, the risk of overweight and obesity reduced as the severity of intellectual disabilities increased, and Down syndrome was associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity. There is a need to carry out research to further our understanding of the reasons behind the increased prevalence of obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities. Effective weight management interventions and accessible clinical services are required to reduce the health inequalities experienced by adults with intellectual disabilities.
Food on film: pilot test of an innovative method for recording food intake of adults with intellectual disabilities living in the community
- Authors:
- HUMPHRIES Kathleen, TRACI Meg Ann, SEEKINS Tom
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(1), March 2008, pp.168-173.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities need dietary monitoring but are not likely to be able to provide accurate dietary intake data via traditional methods. An American pilot study which aimed to meet their support needs with a novel and practical approach to dietary intake data collection are described in this brief report. Still photography kits were used by nine adult volunteer participants with intellectual disabilities who lived in group homes or in semi-independent living arrangements to capture images of the food they consumed over 24 h. Use of photographs during dietary intake interviews improved the reliability of the participants’ responses. Mean reliability ratings improved from ‘Indiscernible/Poor’ (mean range 1.0–1.7) to ‘Good/Excellent’ (mean range 3.6–5.0). The preliminary data imply that Food on Film is an effective and appropriate tool for use in community settings and warrants further testing.
Adults with learning disabilities implementation of ‘The same as you?’ Scotland 2007
- Author:
- SCOTLAND. Scottish Government National Statistics
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Government National Statistics
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 21p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
The purpose of this statistics release is to present the fifth set of national figures for services provided by local authorities in Scotland for adults with learning disabilities. All figures for 2007 relate to the week ending 16 September 2007 and are provisional.
Missed out, missing out: adults with learning disabilities who live in the family home and their right to recognition and resources
- Author:
- QUARRIERS
- Publisher:
- Quarriers
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 16p.
- Place of publication:
- Bridge of Weir
This report demonstrates that age is not the only issue driving inequalities of opportunity and choice for adults with learning disabilities in Scotland. Where and with whom an adult with a learning disability lives are also key determinants of opportunity, choice and service availability. Adults with learning disabilities who live in the family home are missed out and missing out. This 'hidden' population is being missed by those responsible for planning and providing services now, and in the future when aging carers can no longer look after them. This report questions whether adults with learning disabilities who live at home with their families have the same level of choice and services, as adults who live in supported accommodation. Recommendations are outlined.
Parents’ experiences of pain and discomfort in people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- CLARKE Zara Jane, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 36(2), June 2008, pp.84-90.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
There are few measures of pain for people with limited ability to communicate. Eight parents of adults with a known learning disability and associated physical health complaint were interviewed to explore their experience of identifying and managing the pain felt by their children. The parents did not often perceive their son or daughter to be in pain or discomfort, which was an unexpected finding given the sampling strategy. They described, however, specific ways of recognizing pain and would use a trial and error process to determine the cause. Parents had strategies for dealing with pain and reported mixed experiences of service interactions. The emerging themes can be related back to the pain literature and psychological theory. They emphasize the importance of involving parents in pain assessment and represent the first stage of research into a previously unexplored area.
Persistence of challenging behaviours in adults with intellectual disability over a period of 11 years
- Authors:
- TOTSIKA V., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52(5), May 2008, pp.446-457.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Challenging behaviours in people with an intellectual disability (ID) often develop early and tend to persist throughout life. This study presents data on the chronicity of challenging behaviours in adults with ID over a period of 11 years, and explores the characteristics of people with persistent serious behaviour problems. Support staff provided data on 58 adults living in a long-term residential facility in the UK using an interview survey schedule assessing challenging behaviours in 1992 and 2003. Participants presenting with serious physical attacks and self-injury were the most likely to persist in these behaviours over time. These behaviours were characterised by high persistence percentages and associations over time. However, the earlier presence of serious challenging behaviours did not significantly affect the likelihood of serious challenging behaviours in 2003. Individuals with persisting behaviour problems differed from those who did not present serious behaviour problems on the basis of their younger age, increased mobility, and decreased sociability and daily living skills in 1992. Estimates of persistence for challenging behaviours are affected by the statistics chosen to represent stability. The apparent persistence of serious challenging behaviours highlights the need to identify the factors related to maintenance of these behaviours over time. The participant characteristics and adaptive behaviours identified in the present study were not consistently related to the persistence of challenging behaviours. Therefore, other factors, including environmental characteristics, are likely to be related to challenging behaviour persistence.
Personal assistance for adults (19-64) with both physical and intellectual impairments
- Authors:
- MAYO-WILSON Evan, MONTGOMERY Paul, DENNIS Jane
- Journal article citation:
- Campbell Systematic Reviews, 4(1), 2008, pp.1-46.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This systematic review aimed to assesses the effectiveness of personal assistance for adults with physical and intellectual impairments, and the impacts of personal assistance on others, compared to other interventions. Adults with permanent physical and intellectual impairments living in the community who require assistance to perform tasks of daily living and participate in everyday activities were included. Electronic databases were searched from 1980 to June 2005; reference lists were checked; 345 experts, organisations, government bodies and charities were contacted in an attempt to locate relevant research. The review identified two studies that met the inclusion criteria, which included 1002 participants. The review found personal assistance may have some benefits for some recipients and their informal caregivers. Paid assistance probably substitutes for informal care and may cost government more than alternatives; however, some evidence suggests it may reduce costs. Further studies are required to determine which models of personal assistance are most effective and efficient for particular people. (Edited publisher abstract)
A comparative study of stress and unmet needs in carers of South Asian and white adults with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- DEVAPRIAM John, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 1(2), December 2008, pp.35-43.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
A sample of 742 informal carers was selected from the Leicestershire Learning Disability Register. Data on carers' and subjects' demographic details, stress levels and unmet service needs were analysed and compared using chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses. Substantial differences were observed between the two groups. Carers of South Asian adults with learning disabilities reported significantly higher levels of care provision and unmet needs. Major stress was reported in 23% of carers. This was more common in carers with poor health, in those caring for younger adults, carers of adults with psychological symptoms, and in those with an expressed need for moral support or respite care. Stress is common among informal carers of adults with learning disabilities and inequalities, in reported care given and unmet needs, exist between carers of South Asian and white adults. Practitioners need to be aware of factors associated with stress when assessing carers in this population.
'Sunrise, sunset' - the transitions faced by the parents of adults with learning disabilities
- Author:
- LINDSAY Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, 2(3), September 2008, pp.13-17.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article is based on statements freely written by the parents of three adults with learning disabilities describing the transitions in the lives of these adults, and structured interviews with their general practitioners (GP). It highlights the emotional, psychological and personal problems of this group of carers and the need for more research into their support.
Overweight status, obesity, and risk factors for coronary heart disease in adults with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- HENDERSON C. Michael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 5(3), September 2008, pp.174-177.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Research indicates that adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) have high rates of overweight status/obesity (OS/O). OS/O is associated with several important risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study focused on assessing whether such risk factors are being identified in adults with ID who are receiving their healthcare in community settings, and comparing the rates of risk factors and appropriate preventive interventions with a sample of adults without ID from the same community. OS/O rates and CHD risk factors were ascertained in a sample of 100 adults with ID from a medical chart review. All participants were residing in group homes in Monroe County, New York. These rates were compared with age-peer rates in the local general population. In addition, physician practices regarding weight and CHD risk factors were compared in the two study groups. As expected, rates of OS/O were high in both groups. However, rates of obesity were proportionally higher in adults with ID. Hypertension rates were comparable in the two groups, although rates of dyslipidemia (high cholesterol) were higher in adults with ID. Medication prescription rates for hypertension and dyslipidemia were equivalent in both groups. There were more dietary recommendations and fewer exercise recommendations prescribed for adults with ID. These findings confirm that OS/O rates are high in both adults with ID and those in the general population in one geographic area. High rates of CHD risk factors pose risks for premature mortality and morbidity in both groups. Because of factors that are not clear, but that merit further study, physicians may make different recommendations for diet and exercise in persons with ID compared with persons in the general population.