Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-2026
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2026.108380; PMCID: PMC13539593
Abstract
Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) are an underserved population with a high prevalence of obesity, obesity-related health conditions, and reduced ability to complete instrumental and basic activities of daily living (I/ADLs). After leaving the structured environment of public school, many young adults with ID spend more time at home or in day programs, begin living more independently, or enter the workforce. These transitions may increase reliance on fast or processed foods and reduce opportunities for physical activity, contributing to accelerated weight gain. Previous research has demonstrated clinically meaningful short- and long-term weight loss (18-24 months) in adults with mild-to-moderate ID and overweight/obesity using multi-component behavioral interventions. However, similar approaches have not achieved long-term success in younger adults with ID. Limited evidence suggests that cooking-skills training is feasible and may improve diet quality in young adults with ID, yet no adequately powered trial has tested its impact on long-term weight loss in this population. This randomized trial will evaluate whether adding a cooking-skills program to a multicomponent weight-management intervention improves long-term weight loss in young adults with ID and overweight/obesity. We will randomize 114 participants (1:1) to a standard weight-loss program or a standard weight-loss program plus cooking skills sessions for an 18-month intervention with a 6-month no-contact follow-up period. The primary aim is to compare weight loss at 18 months; Secondarily, we will compare between-arm changes in body composition, cardiometabolic biomarkers, I/ADLs, cooking skills, and caregiver strain. Exploratory analyses will examine mediators and moderators of weight change.
Journal Title
Contemp Clin Trials
Volume
167
First Page
108380
Last Page
108380
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Weight Loss; Obesity; Cooking; Intellectual Disability; Young Adult; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Overweight; Male; Female; Weight Reduction Programs; Adult; Activities of Daily Living; Exercise
PubMed ID
42288222
Keywords
Cooking; Diet; Motivational interviewing; Nutrition; Physical activity; Weight loss; Weight maintenance
Recommended Citation
Ptomey LT, Danon JC, Catley D, et al. A cooking skills intervention for long-term weight loss in young adults with intellectual disabilities: Rationale and design for a randomized trial. Contemp Clin Trials. 2026;167:108380. doi:10.1016/j.cct.2026.108380
Comments
Grants and funding
This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Publisher's Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1551714426001667?via%3Dihub