BMI and attitudes and beliefs about physical activity and nutrition of parents of adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

Background: The purpose of this study was: (1) to evaluate the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours associated with nutrition and physical activity of parents with adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID); (2) to determine if these variables related to the body mass index (BMI) of the adolescents and the parents' BMI; and (3) to investigate if the parents' perception of their child's weight status was accurate.

Methods: A survey was used to collect information on BMI and attitudes and beliefs about nutrition and physical activity from parents (n = 207) of adolescents with ID attending schools participating in the Best Buddies Program.

Results: Approximately 45% of the adolescents were overweight or obese and over two-thirds of the parents were either overweight or obese.