ERIC Number: EJ743039
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 12
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0895-8017
EISSN: N/A
Healthy Behavior Change of Adults with Mental Retardation: Attendance in a Health Promotion Program
Mann, Joshua; Zhou, Huafeng; McDermott, Suzanne; Poston, Mary Beth
American Journal on Mental Retardation, v111 n1 p62-73 2006
Participation in a health promotion program for 192 overweight and obese adults with mental retardation was associated with behavior change resulting in reduction of body mass index--BMI (weight in kg, divided by height in meters, squared) by the end of the program. We analyzed the mediating and intermediate factors contributing to weight reduction and found knowledge and exercise to be the primary contributing factors. The curriculum emphasized exercise, nutritional choices, and stress reduction. Participation in the program was associated with a reduction of 0.8 BMI or approximately 2.3 kg for 26% of the participants. Increased knowledge about healthy diet and exercise was the most significant mediator of program impact on BMI.
Descriptors: Health Promotion, Behavior Change, Mental Retardation, Obesity, Health Behavior, Program Effectiveness, Adults, Physical Characteristics, Exercise, Stress Management, Factor Analysis, Health Programs, Body Composition
American Association on Mental Retardation. P.O. Box 7065, Lawrence, KS 66044-7065. Tel: 785-843-1235; Fax: 785-843-1274; e-mail: AJMR@allenpress.com; Web site: http://www.aamr.org/Periodicals/index.shtml.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A