Living with Obesity and a Learning Disability v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Qualitative Exploration of Living with Obesity and a Learning Disability
IRAS ID
346647
Contact name
Leanne Staniford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 29 days
Research summary
The prevalence of obesity in people with learning disabilities is proportionately higher than the non-learning disabilities population. The median age of death is 19 and 23 years younger for men and women in the learning disability population and they are more likely to experience conditions associated with being overweight such as strokes, heart disease and diabetes. Mental health has a considerable impact on people with learning disabilities and they are more likely to experience mental health issues than the non-learning disabilities population.
The research aims to interview adults with a learning disability who are obese about how obesity has affected their mental health. We would like to meet with 6 – 10 people individually and interview them for around 1 hour, we will ask them questions that explore this topic. We will recruit from NHS learning disability services with the support of NHS staff within those services. To be eligible for this study people would need to be over the age of 18, receiving care from an NHS learning disability service where recruitment is taking place and be classed as obese due to their height and weight. People who are in mental health crisis and people who are receiving treatment for an eating disorder will not be eligible.
After analysing the interviews, we aim to develop themes that may highlight the need for support and education for people with a learning disability, families, carers and staff about the psychological aspects of obesity. Additionally, these insights may help to inform what interventions may be beneficial for this population to address obesity in a psychologically informed way.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0072
Date of REC Opinion
12 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion