Intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental correlates of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
L T Ptomey, B C Helsel, D A White and 5 others
PMID 35191124WHAT IT FOUND
Adolescents with intellectual disabilities matched their parents' activity levels.
For every 10 minutes a parent moved, the teen achieved about 6 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity. This link was strongest in teens with Down syndrome or autism, suggesting family-based movement is key.
Key findings
01After adjusting for age, sex, race, waist circumference, and wear time, parent MVPA remained a significant predictor of adolescent MVPA, with teens achieving approximately 6 minutes of MVPA for every 10 minutes their parent achieved.
02The association between parent and adolescent MVPA was significantly stronger in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down syndrome compared to those with other intellectual disabilities.
03Higher body mass index and waist circumference were negatively correlated with minutes of MVPA, while age was positively correlated with sedentary time.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study is cross-sectional, so it shows association but not causation; active parents do not necessarily cause active children, though the reverse is also possible. Accelerometer data was collected from only one parent (primarily mothers), so the total family influence on activity is unknown. Participants were recruited from a trial focused on promoting physical activity, which may mean they were already more motivated than the general population of adolescents with IDD. There are no validated accelerometer cut-points specifically for adolescents with IDD, so the intensity classifications rely on protocols developed for typically developing youth.
Declared interests
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H., Extramural). The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that increasing parent activity will automatically cause an increase in adolescent activity. This study shows a strong correlation at baseline, but it is cross-sectional; it does not prove that changing the parent's behavior will change the child's behavior without further intervention evidence.