A school-based intervention associated with improvements in cardiometabolic risk profiles in young people with intellectual disabilities

J Intellect Disabil. 2013 Mar;17(1):38-50. doi: 10.1177/1744629512472116. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

Abstract

This study evaluates a multifactorial school-based intervention with the aim of decreasing cardiometabolic risk factors by means of a healthy lifestyle, primarily with daily physical activity and healthy food during school hours, at an upper secondary school for students with intellectual disabilities. The outcome is measured in terms of cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular fitness, both known to increase the risk of future cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Two years of intervention resulted in a positive trend in several measured cardiometabolic risk factors, with no increase in fat mass. Cardiovascular fitness levels were unchanged. We conclude that a healthy school environment can contribute to a deceleration of both fat mass gain and loss of cardiovascular fitness.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / therapy
  • Feeding Behavior / physiology
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / metabolism*
  • Intellectual Disability / physiopathology
  • Intellectual Disability / therapy
  • Male
  • Metabolic Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Metabolic Diseases / therapy
  • Physical Fitness / physiology*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Schools / organization & administration*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome