This study evaluated the efficacy of a 9-month treadmill walking (TW) program on exercise capacity and body mass index (BMI) for adolescents with severe autism. Ten youth residing in a residential/school treatment facility were assigned to either a supplemental treadmill walking (TW) or control group. Both groups continued to participate in their regular physical education… Read More »»
Obesity
A review of weight loss interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Obesity is more prevalent in adults with intellectual disabilities than in the general population, and has been shown to contribute to their reduced life expectancy, and increased health needs. Relatively few studies have examined the effectiveness of weight loss interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities. However, there is evidence to support interventions that take account… Read More »»
Weight gain in newly diagnosed first-episode psychosis patients and healthy comparisons: one-year analysis.
BACKGROUND: Various antipsychotics are associated with body weight gain. However, most study samples include high proportions of patients with chronic schizophrenia. We examined neuroleptic-induced weight gain in drug-naïve first-episode psychotic patients to limit confounding variables such as multiple past medication trials, history of partial adherence; or poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, associated with chronic… Read More »»
Obesity after spinal cord injury.
America is in the midst of an obesity epidemic, and individuals who have spinal cord injury (SCI) are perhaps at greater risk than any other segment of the population. Recent changes in the way obesity has been defined have lulled SCI practitioners into a false sense of security about the health of their patients regarding… Read More »»
What does the epidemic of childhood obesity mean for children with special health care needs?
Bringing the 12.8% of children with special healthcare needs into the national response to the childhood obesity epidemic will require new information, a view of health promotion beyond that which occurs within healthcare systems, and services and supports in addition to the multi-sectoral strategies presently designed for children overall. These efforts are necessary to protect… Read More »»
Impact of spinal cord dysfunction and obesity on the health-related quality of life of children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children and adolescents with mobility impairments due to spinal cord injury (SCI) and spina bifida (SB) to the HRQOL of children and adolescent controls without mobility impairments (CTRL); and (2) to examine the impact of of obesity on… Read More »»
Behavioral intervention, exercise, and nutrition education to improve health and fitness (BENEfit) in adolescents with mobility impairment due to spinal cord dysfunction.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Determine the effects of a nutrition education and exercise intervention on the health and fitness of adolescents with mobility impairment due to spinal cord dysfunction from myelomeningocele and spinal cord injury. Subjects participated in a 16-week intervention consisting of a behavioral approach to lifestyle change, exercise, and nutrition education to improve fitness (BENEfit) program.… Read More »»
The experience of being disabled and obese.
PURPOSE: This qualitative study was designed to explore the experiences of disabled and severely obese people living in the community. The challenges that their size and disabilities posed within their homes and in accessing community facilities were explored, with particular reference to the provision and use of assistive technologies. METHODS: The study comprised in-depth interviews… Read More »»
Cigarette smoking and overweight/obesity among individuals with serious mental illnesses: a preventive perspective.
BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking and lifestyle factors underlying overweight/obesity (such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity) appear to play a major role in the excess medical morbidity and mortality among persons with serious mental illnesses. The literature on the prevalence, etiology, prevention, and treatment of these two risk factors, in the context of serious mental illnesses,… Read More »»
A psychiatric rehabilitation approach to weight loss.
Obesity is a major problem nationwide and even more prevalent among people with psychiatric disabilities. This study examined the efficacy of a psychiatric rehabilitation weight loss program. Twenty-one individuals participated in the 12-week intervention. Another 15 individuals served as matched controls. Results indicate the intervention group improved more than the control group for weight, body… Read More »»

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