ABSTRACT
Background
Guidelines outline recommended amounts of physical activity (PA), sleep and sedentary time for optimal health. Research suggests that adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) often do not meet recommendations and that engagement in healthy behaviours is impacted by those around them. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified these concerns. This study aimed to characterise PA, sleep and sedentary time among adults with ID and two key groups who support these adults: formal (service providers) and informal (family) caregivers during pandemic recovery efforts.
Methods
Thirty-nine adults with ID, 127 family caregivers and 116 service providers across Canada completed a cross-sectional survey in spring/summer 2022. Self-reported PA, sleep duration and sedentary time were compared to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines.
Findings
Activity levels varied widely. Walking was the most common form of PA. Many participants (63.8%) met PA guidelines when walking was included, but only 25% met guidelines when walking was excluded. Over half of adults with ID reported sleep durations above recommendations, and concerns about sleep quality were common across all groups. Sedentary time was highly variable and likely underestimated.
Conclusions
Some participants across the three participant groups fell short of guideline recommendations. Promoting accessible, varied activity—especially walking at a moderate intensity—and supporting caregivers may improve health outcomes across all groups.