Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Fit for the future
- Author:
- RICHARDSON Nancy
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 3.11.93, 1993, pp.36-38.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Reports on how a health lifestyles' programme at a day centre benefited a group of people with learning difficulties.
Supporting good nutrition for people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- KENNEDY Karen, PANNELL Jenny, SUMMERS Neil
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 7(3), September 2004, pp.25-29.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Highlights the importance of nutrition and exercise for people with learning disabilities. Poor nutrition and lack of exercise can have adverse effects on emotional and physical health and well-being which then affect the ability to cope with the demands of everyday life, including independent living and enjoyment of voluntary or paid work, college and leisure activities. Argues that support staff need training and advice to understand this if they are to facilitate optimal quality of life. Includes two brief case studies.
A survey of dietary problems of adults with learning disabilities in the community
- Authors:
- STEWART Lynette, BEANGE Helen, MACKERRAS Dorothy
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Handicap Research, 7(1), 1994, pp.41-50.
- Publisher:
- BIMH Publications
Reports the results of an Australian survey, which identified a need for specific nutrition education programmes, in concert with proper nutritional assessment and dietary intervention.
Characterisation of user-defined health status in older adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- STARR J. M., MARSDEN L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52(6), June 2008, pp.483-489.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Older adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) have an excess disease burden that standard health assessments are designed to detect. Older adults with ID have a broader concept of health with dimensions of well being in addition to absence of disease in line with the World Health Organization's health definition. This study sought to characterise user-defined health status in a sample of older adults with ID. A user-led health assessment was administered to 57 adults with ID aged 40 years and over. Cluster analysis on user-defined health themes of participation, nutrition and hygiene/self-care identified clear separation of participants into a healthier and a less healthy group. Disease burden and medication use were greater in the less healthy group. The healthier group were taller, stronger and had better vision than the less healthy group. Constipation, urinary incontinence and faecal incontinence were commoner in the less healthy group. There were few significant differences between health groups on the majority of standard physical-examination items. There is considerable overlap between user-defined health and that assessed by standard instruments. In addition, user-defined health encompasses aspects of physical fitness not captured by traditional disease-based health models.
Obesity and its related health problems in people with intellectual disabilities
- Author:
- ITO Jun-ichi
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(2), June 2006, pp.129-132.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In this Japanese study, obesity and its related health problems in people with intellectual disabilities were examined, focusing on differences related to their place of residence. The prevalence of obesity was higher in older women living in community group homes than in the same age group of women living in institutes or among the general population. Hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were less common in people with intellectual disabilities, especially among people living in institutes when compared with people living in the group homes and with the general population. Abnormal liver tests and hyperuricemia were found more in younger men; these may have resulted from obesity as well as some other clinical factors related to their intellectual disabilities.
Fighting fit? An evaluation of health practitioner input to improve healthy living and reduce obesity for adults with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- CHAPMAN Melanie J., CRAVEN Michael J., CHADWICK Darren D.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 9(2), June 2005, pp.131-144.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
People with learning disabilities are at high risk of obesity and consequent health risks. This study aimed to (1) describe levels of obesity for adults supported by learning disability services, and to (2) evaluate the effectiveness of health practitioner input with individuals with learning disabilities. Body mass index (BMI) was measured at 6 month intervals and change in BMI over time was compared between a non-input group and a group receiving practitioner input to improve healthy living. Initially 35 percent of the non-input sample was classified as clinically obese. Mean BMI increased over time for the non-input group at first, but decreased for the group that received practitioner input. The differences in weight change between the two groups reached statistical significance with a greater weight reduction in the input group. Implications for service provision are discussed.
Sunshine diet and mobility for healthy bones: an intervention study designed to implement these standards into the daily routine in an at risk population of adults with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- TOHILL Carmel, LAVERTY Anne
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 26(3), September 2001, pp.217-231.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In 1995, the authors studied the incidence of bone fractures within a large hospital for persons with intellectual disability. They recommended that an intervention study be carried out to implement non-invasive criteria thought to enhance bone density and hopefully reduce fractures, i.e, improving vitamin D intake through diet and exposure to direct sunlight, and increasing levels of exercise. The patients targeted were those assessed as having a high risk of fracture due to polytherapy for epilepsy, possible nutritional deficiency due to liquidised diets or those with impaired metabolism and genetic conditions where increased fracture risk has been reported. Nurses were educated in the reasons for this intervention study and the criteria to be measured. The results showed that every effort was made to implement the dietary recommendations, ensure safe sunshine exposure and improve patients' mobility. The study served to increase awareness of the important factors that may help reduce the risk of bone disease. It has shown that these factors can easily be incorporated into nursing care plans and could certainly be extended to care in the community.
Vitamin C status and dietary intake in a long stay unit for clients with learning disabilities: implications for community care
- Author:
- CAUDERY Alison
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23(2), 1995, pp.70-73.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Reports a study which revealed that despite adequate supplies of Vitamin C-rich drinks/food at ward level 26% of clients tested had some degree of Vitamin C hypovitaminosis. There did not however appear to be any significant difference in current dietary intake between clients who had a degree of hypovitamins and clients who did not, so the implications is that previous dietary intakes were poor and have never been replenished. Looks at the implications for nutrition training and community care.
Effects on physical health of a multicomponent programme for overweight and obesity for adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- MARTINEZ-ZARAGOZA Fermin, CAMPILLO-MARTINEZ Jose M., ATO-GARCIA Manuel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29(3), 2016, p.250–265.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Overweight and obesity are major health risk factors in people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a multicomponent programme (physical activity, diet and motivation) for overweight and obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities. Material and Methods: A quasi-experimental design with repeated-measures and non-equivalent control group (n = 33, n = 31) was used. The programme was conducted over 17 weeks, with follow-up at 6 months in a sample of Spanish adults with a mild and moderate intellectual disability from a community occupational day centre, aged from 23 to 50, 40.6% of which were women. Results: A significant reduction in weight and diastolic blood pressure was obtained over time, and this reduction was maintained in the follow-up for weight. Reduction in heart rate was only marginally significant. Conclusions:The treatment was effective in reducing overweight and obesity, improving cardiovascular capacity and therefore the physical health of the participants. (Publisher abstract)
Derogation of “duty of care” in favour of “choice”?
- Authors:
- GILL Janet, FAZIL Qulsom
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 15(5), 2013, pp.258-270.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Chronic health conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes are higher in individuals with learning disabilities and significantly affect both quality of life and longevity. Healthy eating is an important factor in preventing these chronic conditions. The study reported here explored the role paid carers played in promoting healthy eating and how they managed the daily dilemma of balancing residents’ right to make unhealthy food choices against carers’ “duty of care”. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of six residential paid carers. Interviews were transcribed and then analysed using a thematic approach. Findings: This small study highlights the challenges that staff face when balancing food choice against “duty of care”. It highlights that when working with less able residents, carers are motivated by “best interests”, to place boundaries and restrictions on food access and choice. It confirms previous studies that increased levels of choice for higher ability residents, often results in less healthy food choices. The study describes a lack of policy, guidance and specific training for paid carers which results in them using their personal subjective values as a basis for decision making. Originality/value: Since the publication of “Valuing People” (Department of Health, 2001) the core principles of residential services changed direction towards independence and choice. This study expands our knowledge on how paid carers make sense of the everyday conflicts between choice and “duty of care” when residents continue to make unhealthy food choices affecting their physical health. (Publisher abstract)