BMI and attitudes and beliefs about physical activity and nutrition of parents of adolescents with intellectual disabilities.
Parents of teens with ID who see themselves as activity role models and limit fast-food have kids with lower BMI.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Hattier et al. (2011) sent a one-time survey to parents of teens with intellectual disability. They asked about fast-food rules, sports teams, and how much parents saw themselves as role models.
The team also recorded height and weight for both parent and teen to calculate BMI.
What they found
Parents who agreed 'I am a role model for physical activity' had teens with lower BMI scores. Families who limited fast-food visits showed the same healthy pattern.
In this sample, almost half the teens and two-thirds of parents were overweight or obese.
How this fits with other research
Saggers et al. (2019) extends these findings. They showed adults with ID can boost their own activity when coached by peers. Parent attitude matters for teens; peer coaching works for adults.
Beck et al. (2021) used the same parent-survey method but asked about literacy instead of weight. Both papers prove parents spot different barriers at different ages.
van Herwaarden et al. (2022) tested parent training for behavior issues. Their positive results remind us that parents of kids with ID can learn new skills when programs are clear and practical.
Why it matters
You can start a conversation, not a lecture. Ask parents, 'Do you feel you are a role model for activity?' If they say no, brainstorm one tiny change: walk the dog together, swap soda for water, or set a weekly screen-free hour. Small parent steps can shrink teen BMI without ever mentioning the word 'weight.'
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Add one parent question to your intake: 'What is one active thing you and your teen could do together this week?' Write the answer in the behavior plan and review progress at next visit.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was: (1) to evaluate the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours associated with nutrition and physical activity of parents with adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID); (2) to determine if these variables related to the body mass index (BMI) of the adolescents and the parents' BMI; and (3) to investigate if the parents' perception of their child's weight status was accurate. METHODS: A survey was used to collect information on BMI and attitudes and beliefs about nutrition and physical activity from parents (n = 207) of adolescents with ID attending schools participating in the Best Buddies Program. RESULTS: Approximately 45% of the adolescents were overweight or obese and over two-thirds of the parents were either overweight or obese. There was a significant difference in child's BMI by parents' description, F(3,158) = 72.75, P < 0.001. Factor analysis on questions on physical activity and nutrition revealed three factors (Factor 1 - Family Healthy Habits, Factor 2 - Parental Role and Factor 3 - Parental Activity) extracting 63% of the variance. The BMI of the adolescents significantly correlated with Factors 2 and 3. Children categorised as having a lower BMI had parents who agreed significantly more (r = -0.22, P < 0.005) with questions about being role models. There was a significant correlation between BMI for both the parents and adolescents and frequency of fast foods purchased. CONCLUSION: Efforts need to be made to provide parents of adolescents with ID tailored information about how they can assist their child in managing their weight. This information should emphasise to parents the important part they play as role models and as providers for healthy choices for physical activity as well as nutrition.
Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2011 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2011.01437.x