The Effects of Fit 5 and Gardens on Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Top of Page
Skip main navigation
Toggle navigation
Search NSU
Go!
Apply Now
Request Info
Giving
Alumni
Select A College
Nova Southeastern University
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
College of Dental Medicine
College of Computing and Engineering
College of Medical Sciences
College of Optometry
College of Pharmacy
College of Psychology
Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine
Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
Farquhar Honors College
H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
Mailman Segal Center for Human Development
Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing
Shepard Broad College of Law
University School
Undergraduate
Academic Programs
Explore all of the academic opportunities that NSU has to offer undergraduate students.
Student Life
Learn why the years you spend at NSU will be some of the best you will ever have. Go Sharks!
Admissions
Discover exactly what you need and when to be admitted to NSU.
Financial Aid
Search for scholarships and learn about the financial aid process.
Dual Admission
Honors College
Experiential Education
Tuition and Costs
International Affairs
Veterans
SharkLink
Student Portal
Graduate & Professional
Master's
Over 60 degrees in fields like business, education, counseling, and healthcare.
Doctoral
Terminal degrees in areas including oceanography, computer and information sciences, and pharmacy.
Professional
Programs in high demand fields such as medicine, dentistry, law, and psychology.
Certificate
Receive a graduate level certificate to enhance your skills.
Continuing Education
Financial Aid
Career Development
Regional Campuses
International Affairs
Veterans
SharkLink
Student Portal
Academics
Colleges, Schools & Centers
See a full list of NSU's colleges and schools.
Degree & Programs
Discover the large variety of academic programs offered at NSU.
JK-12 College Prep
NSU's University School is right on our main campus.
Early Childhood Education
The Mailman Segal Center provides programs for early childhood, parenting, and autism.
Institutes
Distance Education
Regional Campuses
Experiential Education
Registrar's Office
Student Life
Sharks Athletics
17 men's and women's NCAA Division II teams.
Living on Campus
On campus housing options for undergraduate and graduate students.
Clubs and Organizations
Make new friends and become a part of NSU's social life.
Performing and Visual Arts
Arts and culture on campus including theatre, music, and art.
Campus Housing
Off-Campus Housing
Campus Rec
South Florida Living
Research
Areas of Research
Explore some of the innovative research being conducted at NSU.
Translational Research and Economic Development
Information on basic, applied, and clinical research at NSU, as well as technology transfer.
Libraries
Serving Broward County residents as well as NSU students, faculty and staff members.
Center for Collaborative Research
NSU's innovative research hub is home to cutting-edge core facilities and world-renowned researchers.
NSU Cell Therapy Institute
Core Services & Equipment
HPD Research
Undergraduate Research
Community
Community Outreach
Committed to community service through a variety of programs.
Health Care Centers
Over 20 health care centers and services for the community.
Libraries
Serving Broward County residents as well as NSU students, faculty and staff members.
NSU Art Museum
Provides arts curriculum and the best in visual arts exhibits and educational programs to South Florida.
Miniaci Performing Arts Center
Don Taft University Center
Lifelong Learning Institute
About NSU
President Hanbury
Get to know NSU's President.
Vision, Mission and Core Values
Learn more about NSU's plan for the future.
NSU History
Learn more about NSU's 50 year history.
Locations and Directions
Get directions to NSU's main campus and off campus locations.
Resources
Accreditations
Visit Campus
Virtual Tour
Newsroom
Board of Trustees
Contact Us
Apply Now
Request Info
Academic Affairs
Skip secondary navigation
Menu
Home
Committees, Councils, and Boards
Office of Academic Quality, Assessment and Accreditation
Overview
Assessment
Accreditation
Academic Program Review
General Education
Learning and Educational Center
Faculty Policy Manual
NSU Scholarly Journals
Professional Journals
Professional Memberships
Academic Policies and Procedures
Provost's Research and Scholarship Award
Overview and Link to Application
Winners
President's Faculty Research and Development Grant
About the Grant
Proposal Development Assistance
Contact Us
NSU Home
Academic Affairs
President's Faculty Research and Development Grant
winners1920
The Effects of Fit 5 and Gardens on Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Grant Winners
Mary Ellen Mitchell‐Rosen, Ph.D. – College of Nursing
Holly Madison, Ph.D. – College of Nursing
Vanessa Johnson, Ph.D. – College of Nursing
Cyril Blavo, DO – College of Nursing
Marilyn Gordon, Ed.D. – College of Osteopathic Medicine
Constance Demmery, MS – College of Nursing
Raquel Olivieri – College of Nursing
Samia Shretah – College of Nursing
Jennifer Gray – College of Nursing
Berit Amlie – Special Olympics Healthy Communities South Florida
Misha Payne – Special Olympics Healthy Communities South Florida
Deans
Marcella Rutherford, PH.D., M.B.A., M.S.N. – College of Nursing
Elaine Wallace, D.O., M.S., M.S., M.S. – College of Osteopathic Medicine
Abstract
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at greater risk than the overall population for lifestyle-related diseases such as cardio–metabolic conditions. Typically adults with IDD have lower levels of physical activity and therefore have higher rates of morbidity and mortality associated with hypoactive diseases.(Chow, Huang, Choi & Pan, 2016), "As a subpopulation, people with IDD experience more barriers to participating in physical activity (PA) and obtaining health diets compared to the general population" (Eisenberg,Rimmer,Mehta,&Fox.2015, p.2). Many secondary conditions and lifestyle-related diseases can be prevented through health promotion initiatives.
Little is known about the impact of providing targeted health promotion sessions and access to resources for the IDD population to increase PA and improve nutrition. "Instruments currently being used to measure physical activity and healthy eating at the community level are not to designed to assess persons with disabilities" (Eisenberg, et al, 2015, p. 2). This study will evaluate the
efficacy of participating in the Special Olympics Health Communities, Fit 5 program and gardening at adult day treatment centers. In this mixed methods study, the researchers will quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of the interventions for the IDD population through a Personal Outcomes Scale (POS) and biometric data. Both types of data will be collected pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. The biometric data obtained will include height and weight, BMI, Blood Pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and abdominal girth. Qualitative data will be collected from the supporters (staff, caregivers, and healthcare students) regarding their perspective of the interventions using semi-structured interviews and focus in the phenomenological tradition. Healthcare students will be used to assist in implementing the interventions.
Results from the study will significantly further our knowledge of designing health promotion interventions for individuals with IDD in community settings. The results from the qualitative data will provide rich a rich description of the experience of the persons who implement the interventions. The data may provide information on how supporters and healthcare providers can best assist individuals with IDD to reach the highest level of health and wellness.
Return to top of page