Research and Training Center on Independent Living

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Success Story

The KU Diet Project:
Weight Loss for People with Physical Disabilities

This research project is implementing a weight loss program for people with physical disabilities in Wichita. The project is based on a previous diet study that focused on adults with developmental disabilities.

In addition to educating participants about weight loss and weight management, the project will study the cost and public policy implications of weight loss. Health care usage patterns and improvements in secondary health outcomes – such as diabetes and hypertension – will be analyzed through Kansas Medicaid claims data.

Investigators are Muriel Saunders, PhD, Amanda Reichard, PhD, and Richard Saunders, PhD. Researchers at the KU Medical Center are also co-investigators on the project.

The Problem
People with physical disabilities have obesity rates that exceed those for the general population. They are more likely to have limited physical activity and to consume energy dense diets, which include foods that have a large number of calories in a small volume. But research on weight loss and management for people with physical disabilities has been limited.

Two Diets
The weight loss project is comparing the effectiveness of a specially designed “stoplight” diet to a “usual care” diet. Study participants follow one of the diets for weight loss and maintenance, and receive encouragement to participate in a physical activity program appropriate for their physical abilities. They also meet regularly with a dietician or certified health fitness specialist, who provide education and support.

Background
This three-year weight loss project was funded in Sept. 2009. See the news release.

Funding
This is a Field Initiated Project from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). For more information, contact: Amanda Reichard, reichard@ku.edu, 785-864-4095.