Table 1 Behaviour change interventions

Fox 1985 [15] USA Community Quasi-experimental with a comparison group

(a) Parent involvement group n = 8 Weight status: all obese Gender: 4 females, 4 males Age (years)^a: 27(2.7) ID: moderate

Duration: 10 week of 2 group sessions per week (60 min each).(a) Behaviour change methods based on Rotatori [18]. Parents involved with intervention strategies e.g. homework and reward systems.

10 week

(a) Mean weight change, kg: - 3.4 (range: -1.81 to -4.9) (b) Mean weight change, kg: -1.09 (range: +2.27 to -3.63). Significant between group difference (p < 0.05)

(b) Subject involvement n = 7 Weight status: all obese Gender: all malesAge (years)^a: 29 (2.2) ID: moderateAttrition/drop out: none

(b) Same as (a) but parents were not involved. Maintenance: 3 monthly meetings reviewing eating and activity behaviours, reward system continued.

3 month

(a) Mean weight change, kg: + 0.7 (range: +3.6 to -2.7) (b) Mean weight change, kg: +0.1 (range: +3.2 to -5.4)No significant between group difference

6 month

(a) Mean weight gain, kg: +1.8 (range: -3.2 to +5.4) (b) Mean weight gain, kg: +2.8 (range: 0 to +6.8) No significant between group difference

McCarran 1990 [16] USA Community Quasi-experimental with a comparison group

Total n = 12, 8 completers Weight status: 22-109% overweight Gender: 7 females, 1 male Age (years): 19-42 ID: cerebral palsy, IQ: 50-80 Attrition/drop out: 4 drop outs

Duration: 14 weeks of 3 group sessions per week (60 min each) led by a graduate student and undergraduate.(a) Home Help group: Behaviour change methods based on Rotatori [18]. Frequent contacts with the parents/caretakers by the group leader.

14 weeks

(a) Mean weight change, kg:-2.5^b (b) Mean weight change, kg: -1.2 Significant weight loss for both groups (p < 0.01) No significant between group difference Significant reduction in BMI, weight reduction quotient, % overweight for both groups (p < 0.05)

(b) No Help group: Behaviour change methods same as (a) but with no communication with the parents/caretakers. Maintenance: 5 weeks of practicing techniques identified as problematic.

12 months

(a) Mean weight change, kg: -1.5 (b) Mean weight change, kg: +0.5

Sailer 2006 [17] USA Community Uncontrolled Quasi-experimental study

Total n = 6 Weight status: all obese Gender: 4 females, 2 males Age (years): 34-54 ID: mild Attrition/drop out: none

Duration: 10 weekly group sessions (60 min each) and phone call contacts. Behaviour change methods based on Rotatori [18]. Maintenance: none reported

10 week

Mean weight change, kg: -2.5 (range: +0.5 to -8.2)

1 month

Mean weight change, kg: -1.5 (range: +2.26 to -5.9)