Caregivers' effect on weight management in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
INTRODUCTION
Caregivers of adults with IDD often play a large role in the ability of adults with IDD to lose weight.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine to examine the effects of the caregivers' perceived burdens and self-efficacy and their relationship to an individual (family member or paid staff) on weight changes across a weight management intervention for adults with IDD.


METHODS
Overweight/obese adults with mild to moderate IDD, along with assigned caregivers who served as their study partner, were randomized to an 18-month weight management intervention. The living environment and caregiver relationship were assessed at baseline. Caregivers completed questionnaires regarding perceived hassles, uplifts, and self-efficacy in helping the participant follow a weight management intervention.


RESULTS
147 adults with IDD (∼57% women and ∼16% minorities) were included in data analysis. After 18 months, there were no differences in weight loss between participants who had a family member as their study partner and those who had a paid assistant as their study partner (-5.5 ± 5.2% vs. -5.6± 5.3% p = 0.16). However, paid assistants reported more hassles with following the diet intervention at 6 months (p < 0.05). Participants who had a paid assistant as their study partner were more likely to have multiple study partners during the study, which was correlated with smaller weight loss.


CONCLUSION
While caregivers are important for weight management of adults with IDD, the caregiver's relationship to the participant does not affect weight change in an intervention.
['Ptomey|L T|LT|', 'Gibson|C A|CA|', 'Lee|J|J|', 'Sullivan|D K|DK|', 'Washburn|R A|RA|', 'Gorczyca|A M|AM|', 'Donnelly|J E|JE|']
D000328:Adult D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel D001835:Body Weight D017028:Caregivers D002658:Developmental Disabilities D004032:Diet D006233:Disabled Persons D005190:Family D005247:Feeding Behavior D005260:Female D006282:Health Personnel D006801:Humans D008607:Intellectual Disability D007588:Job Satisfaction D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009765:Obesity D020377:Self Efficacy D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D055815:Young Adult
Caregiver Weight management Adults Family Intellectual and development disabilities