Background: Toothbrushing, limiting intake frequency, and scheduled visits to an oral healthcare professional (OHP) are key for good oral health. We aimed to explore factors influencing these oral health behaviours in Dutch adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities (MBID) in residential care. Method: Using a qualitative,…

Background: Adults with intellectual disabilities living in residential houses have a high prevalence of obesity which is related to poor dietary habits. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess supporting staff`s thoughts and experiences on factors influencing their opportunities to promote a healthy diet in adults with intellectual disabilities.…

Background: People with intellectual disabilities have worse health outcomes compared to their peers without. However, regarding oral health parameters, recent systematic reviews reported conflicting evidence. The aim was to assess whether adolescents with MBID differ from their peers in oral health and oral health behaviour. Methods: Ninety seven…

Background: Research suggests that people with intellectual disabilities have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease than the general population. The aim of this study was to identify barriers for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease for people with intellectual disabilities. Method: We conducted individual…

Background: People with intellectual disabilities have equal rights to explore their sexuality and access sexual and reproductive healthcare, yet little is known about their needs and wants when accessing health education. The current study sought to learn about the sexual health interests, attitudes, and educational needs of Special Olympics (SO)…

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, now constitute a major proportion of ill-health across most adult and older populations including in people with intellectual disability. The current paper is a comparative analysis of prevalence of NCDs across mid-aged and older-aged people with mild intellectual…

Background: In a cohort of adults with intellectual disability who were followed for up to 16-years, we investigated characteristics associated with frequent emergency department (ED) presentations, hospitalisation, and psychiatric care. Method: Community-dwelling adults with intellectual disability residing in Queensland, Australia, were followed…

Background: The participation of people with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics sports and training opportunities offers numerous benefits for health and inclusion. However, little is known about the impact of such training on physical activity behaviour. Here, we evaluate the differences in physical activity volume and intensity of…

Goals: This study examined: (a) crystallized/fluid intelligence trajectories of adolescents and adults with Down syndrome; and (b) the contribution of endogenous (health, activities of daily living--ADL) and exogenous (cognitively stimulating leisure activities) factors on adults' intelligence with age. Method: Four cohorts (N = 80) with Down…

Background: Obesity rates are higher in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (DD) compared to typically developing (TD) children. In TD children, family-based (FB) interventions for obesity are the most effective interventions. Research addressing obesity interventions for children with IDD is limited. Method: We adapted a…

Background: Research investigating feeding problems in children with Down syndrome is scarce. This study investigated feeding problems, eating behaviours and parental feeding practices in children with Down syndrome (n = 40), and typically developing (TD) children of the same age and sex (n = 40). Method: Parents of children aged 6-months to…

Background: Promotion of a healthy lifestyle for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities is important. However, the suitability of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) for these individuals is still unclear. Methods: A Delphi study was performed using the Coventry, Aberdeen & LOndon -- REfined (CALO-RE) taxonomy of BCTs (n = 40). Health…

Background: Self-management of health includes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) playing a key role in health management in collaborating with healthcare professionals. Methods: This study analysed data from Personal Outcome Measures® surveys (n = 1,341) to explore self-management of health. We had the following…

Background: Adolescents with intellectual disabilities are insufficiently physically active. Where interventions have been developed and delivered, these have had limited effectiveness, and often lack a theoretical underpinning. Aim: Through application of the COM-B model, our aim is to explore the factors influencing adolescent physical activity…

Background: As adults with intellectual disabilities approach older adulthood, they face unique physical and psychosocial challenges. This study explored the lived experiences of middle-aged adults with intellectual disabilities living in their community. Method: Six sessions of Photovoice were conducted with a purposeful sample of six middle-aged…