Table 3 Dietary interventions

Antal 1988 [21] Hungary Institution Uncontrolled quasi-experimental study

Total n = 92 inpatients, recruited: 15 Weight status: All obese Gender: 10 females, 5 males Age (years)^a: females: 38 (13), males: 44 (15) ID: mainly imbeciles and one Down syndromeAttrition/drop out: none

Duration: 9 months Diet: 30 day rotating menu of 1000 to 1100 kcal energy content, containing 125 g carbohydrate. Quantity of food was measured once a week. Maintenance: none reported

9 months

Females: Mean weight change, kg (SD): -16 (2.7) ^bMean BMI change, Kg/m²: -12.2 Males: Mean weight change, kg (SD): -13 (4.5)Mean BMI change, Kg/m²: -6.7

Bertoli 2008 [22] Italy Community Uncontrolled quasi-experimental study

Total n = 37 Gender: 12 females, 25 males Age (years) ^a: 33.5 (9.2) Weight status: 6 obese/overweight ID: 13 with ID (9 Down syndrome, 4 cerebral palsy), the rest were only physically disabled Drop out: 65%, 24 participants (9 of which with ID)

Duration: 12 months of individual nutritional counseling led by doctor and dietician (60 min per session). Phone call consultations (15 min) every 3 months.Diet: Personalised dietary protocols based on healthy low fat eating and on LARN recommendations. Parents/ legal tutors of ID participants were asked to support participants e.g. dietary changes and completion of food diaries.Maintenance: none reported

12 months

For the 6 obese/ overweight participants at baseline: Mean weight change, kg (SD): -6.8 (4) (p = 0.01) ^bMean BMI change, kg/m² (SD): -2.4 (1.4) (p = 0.008) Significant reduction in fat mass (p = 0.008) No clarification if the 6 participants had ID.