An exploration of lifestyle/obesity programmes for adults with intellectual disabilities through a realist lens: Impact of a ‘context, mechanism and outcome’ evaluation

Laurence Taggart, Alison Doherty , Umesh Chauhan , Angela Hassiotis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
21 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Obesity is higher in people with intellectual disabilities.

Aims: There are two aims of this explorative paper. Firstly, using a realist lens, to go beyond ‘what works’ and examine the ‘context, mechanisms and outcomes’ (CMO) of lifestyle/obesity programmes for this population. Second, using a logic model framework to inform how these programmes could be implemented within practice.

Method: We explored six-review papers and the individual lifestyle/obesity programmes that these papers reviewed using the CMO framework.

Results: There were few theoretically underpinned, multi-component programmes that were effective in the short to long-term and many failed to explore the ‘context and mechanisms’. We developed a logic model and engaged in two co-production workshops to refine this model.

Discussion: Using a realist approach, programmes need to be underpinned by both individual and systems change theories, be multi-component, have a closer understanding of the interplay of the ‘context and mechanisms’, and co-designed using a logic model framework.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)578-593
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Volume34
Issue number2
Early online date20 Dec 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 31 Mar 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank the support of Dr. J.M.E. Gibson and Dr. S.P. Jones, Faculty of Health & Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, England for their contributions to this paper. We would also like to thank Agnes Lunny, Positive Futures and Linda McKendry, COMPASS, and their staff and adults with intellectual disabilities, from Northern Ireland who have helped shape the logic model. Dr. Alison Doherty was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC). The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • intellectual disability
  • lifestyle/obesity programmes
  • logic modelling
  • realist lens
  • Life Style
  • Humans
  • Obesity/epidemiology
  • Adult
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Intellectual Disability/epidemiology

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