Lifestyle Approaches for People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Multiple Case Analysis

Area of Science:

• Health promotion
• Disability studies
• Public health interventions

Background:

• Healthcare organizations implement interventions to promote healthy lifestyles for individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs).
• Implementing active and healthy lifestyles in daily support for people with IDs presents challenges.
• Key factors for successful implementation include intervention components, influence levels, theory use, and sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze intervention components, influence levels, theory use, and sustainability conditions in lifestyle interventions for people with IDs.
• Focus on physical activity and nutrition interventions within healthcare organizations supporting individuals with IDs.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive multiple case study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 9 healthcare organizations using a newly developed online inventory form.
• Qualitative data on lifestyle approaches and interventions were compiled.

Main Results:

• 59 interventions were analyzed; 31% focused on physical activity, 10% on nutrition, and 59% on both.
• Most interventions targeted education (49%), with fewer on daily activities (19%) or evaluation (16%).
• Interventions primarily targeted individuals with IDs and professionals, underrepresenting social levels; only 10 of 59 interventions were theory-driven.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare organizations should integrate explicit theoretical bases into lifestyle approaches for individuals with IDs.
• Interventions should expand focus to include social and external environments, not just clients and professionals.
• A written lifestyle policy, encompassing all interventions and assigned responsibility, is crucial for sustainability and integrated, theory-driven approaches.