A Focus on Healthy Living Between Natural Supports and Young Adults with Intellectual Disability in College

Abstract

College students with and without intellectual disability (ID) are challenged with maintaining healthy lifestyles since it may be their first time living away from home. Natural supports (or peer mentors) can work together to promote healthier options on college campuses. This article shares how one college program promoted healthier lifestyles across three areas (i.e., nutritional understanding, dietary intake, physical activity). Dietary intake and physical activity were monitored across a 6-month period. Preliminary findings indicated 9 of 10 students with ID increased nutritional knowledge, 10 of 10 increased servings of fruits and vegetables consumed, and 6 of 10 increased cardiovascular endurance.