Supporting Healthier Grocery-Shopping Habits for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Using Self-Management and Technology: A Single-Case Pilot

While there are many benefits to healthy nutrition, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities often have poor nutrition habits. Identifying effective practices to promote healthy nutrition for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is critical. The purpose of this...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Melissa N. Savage
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-06-01
Series:Disabilities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/3/3/21
Description
Summary:While there are many benefits to healthy nutrition, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities often have poor nutrition habits. Identifying effective practices to promote healthy nutrition for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is critical. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of a health app and self-management intervention in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in making healthier nutrition choices. A changing criterion single-case research design was used with three adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to determine if there was a functional relation between a health app and self-management intervention, and the number of healthy food and drink items purchased when grocery shopping. The combination of the health app with self-management intervention was effective in increasing the number of healthy food and drink items two participants bought at the grocery store. Participants reported that they enjoyed using the app, scanning food and drink items was fun, and the goal-setting and self-monitoring components were easy to understand. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
ISSN:2673-7272