Table 2 Behaviour change plus physical activity

Fox 1984 [19] USA Community Quasi-experimental study with a control group

(a) Behaviour Therapy group (BT) n = 8 Weight status, % overweight^a: 44.4 (35.4) Gender: 5 females, 3 males Age (years)^a: 29.5 (7.2) ID, IQ ^a: 42.1 (8.4)

Duration: 10 weeks of 2 group sessions per week (60 min each) led by a researcher and a recreational therapist. (a) Behaviour change methods based on Rotatori [18]. Parents involved with intervention strategies e.g. homework, reward systems. Phone contacts were also included. Activity: calisthenics and aerobic exercises (2 times a day) plus walking and using stairs.

10 week

a) Mean weight change, kg:- 3.3 ( range: +0.4 to + 7.26) % weight loss: 5.7 (b) Mean weight change, kg:-3.72 (range: +1.36 to +7.7) % weight loss:6.6

(b) BT + Buddy reinforcement n = 8 Weight status, % overweight ^a: 34.7 (18.3) Age, (years)^a: 27.5 ( 5.4) ID, IQ ^a: 46.3 (12.1) Attrition/drop out: none

(b) Same as (a) plus participants were paired into 4 buddy teams.Maintenance: 5 weekly meetings reviewing behaviour change strategies, applying reinforcement and reducing homework. Weight loss was still promoted.

15 week

(a) Mean weight change, kg:-0.9 (range: +0.4 to -2.72) (b) Mean weight change, kg:-1.04 (range:+0.98 to -3.2)

52 weeks

(a) Mean weight change, kg: -0.27 (range: +2.25 to -3.6) from baseline

(b) Mean weight change, kg: -1.8 (range: +2.7 to -14.8) Total 37.5 % maintained weight.No significant between–group difference at 10 week, 15 week and 52 weeks follow up

Fisher 1986 [20] USA Community Quasi-experimental study with a control group

Total n = 17 Weight status: All obese Gender: All femalesAge (years) ≈ 20 ID: mild to moderate Attrition/drop out: none

Duration: 8 week group sessions(a) Behaviour self control group: Behaviour change methods based on Rotatori [18].

8 week

(a) Mean weight change, kg: -1^b

(b) Mean weight change, kg: -0.6 No significant difference between (a) and (b)

(b) Behaviour self control group plus physical activity: Behaviour change methods same as (a). Activity: walking (10 min/day increased to 30 min by week 8) Maintenance: none reported

4 week

(a) Mean weight change, kg: +0.6^b

(b) Mean weight change, kg: +0.6 No significant difference between (a) and (b)