Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have higher diabetes rates and lower physical activity levels than the general population, yet standard diabetes prevention programs often don’t work for them because they don’t account for how these individuals learn and live. According to Gram Research analysis, tailoring programs with simpler communication, community-based support, and caregiver involvement could significantly improve accessibility and effectiveness for this historically overlooked population.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities face higher rates of diabetes and lower physical activity levels, yet standard diabetes prevention programs often don’t work well for them. According to Gram Research analysis, this happens because these programs aren’t designed with their unique needs in mind. A new commentary in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine suggests that tailoring diabetes prevention approaches, including simpler communication, community-based support, and involving caregivers, could help reduce health disparities. The research highlights how adapting existing programs rather than creating entirely new ones could make diabetes prevention more accessible and effective for this often-overlooked population.
Key Statistics
A 2026 commentary in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience higher rates of diabetes and lower physical activity levels compared to the general population, highlighting the failure of standard prevention programs to meet their needs.
Research reviewed by Gram shows that standard diabetes prevention approaches fail to adequately account for the distinct cognitive, behavioral, social, and environmental contexts of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, limiting both program impact and reach.
According to the commentary, tailored adaptations including simplified communication strategies, community-based care models, and active caregiver involvement represent a promising framework to reduce health disparities in diabetes prevention for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How to make diabetes prevention programs work better for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who currently have higher diabetes rates and lower physical activity than the general population.
- Who participated: This is a commentary reviewing existing research and best practices rather than a study with participants. It focuses on adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers.
- Key finding: Standard diabetes prevention programs don’t adequately account for the cognitive, behavioral, social, and environmental needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, leading to limited effectiveness and reach.
- What it means for you: If you or a loved one has an intellectual or developmental disability, diabetes prevention programs should be customized to your specific needs, communication style, and support system. Healthcare providers should work with caregivers and communities to create more accessible programs.
The Research Details
This is a commentary article, which means the authors reviewed existing research and expert knowledge to discuss an important health topic rather than conducting a new experiment. The authors examined why current diabetes prevention programs work well for most people but fall short for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They looked at the barriers these individuals face, including differences in how they understand health information, their activity levels, and their access to support. The commentary then proposes solutions based on what research shows works best.
This approach matters because it identifies a gap in healthcare. Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are left behind by standard health programs, leading to worse health outcomes. By reviewing what we know and proposing practical changes, this commentary helps healthcare providers, researchers, and communities work together to fix the problem.
As a commentary in a peer-reviewed journal, this article represents expert analysis of existing evidence rather than new experimental data. The strength comes from synthesizing research and practical experience. Readers should understand this is a call for action based on identified problems, not proof that a specific solution works. The recommendations need to be tested through future research and real-world implementation.
What the Results Show
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience higher rates of diabetes and lower levels of physical activity compared to the general population. Standard diabetes prevention programs, which work well for most people, don’t adequately address the unique needs of this group. The commentary identifies three main barriers: these programs often use communication styles that don’t match how people with intellectual disabilities learn best, they don’t account for the social and environmental challenges these individuals face, and they frequently overlook the important role caregivers play in supporting healthy behaviors. The authors argue that these aren’t failures of the individuals but rather limitations of the programs themselves.
The commentary highlights that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities often have less access to physical activity opportunities, face dietary challenges related to their living situations and support systems, and may struggle with health literacy when information isn’t presented in accessible ways. Additionally, many mainstream health promotion initiatives don’t include or consult with this population when designing programs, meaning their specific needs and preferences are overlooked from the start.
This commentary builds on a growing body of research showing that one-size-fits-all health programs don’t work equally well for all populations. Similar findings have emerged for other groups with unique health needs. The contribution here is specifically focusing on intellectual and developmental disabilities and proposing concrete adaptations like tailored communication, community-based approaches, and caregiver involvement as solutions.
This is a commentary rather than a research study, so it doesn’t provide new experimental data or statistics. The recommendations are based on existing evidence and expert opinion rather than testing specific interventions. The commentary also doesn’t address all the complex factors that influence diabetes risk in this population, and implementation challenges may be greater than the article suggests. More research is needed to test whether the proposed adaptations actually improve outcomes.
The Bottom Line
Healthcare providers should adapt diabetes prevention programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by using simpler, more visual communication methods; involving caregivers as active partners; and building programs within communities where people already receive support. These changes should be made with moderate to high confidence based on existing evidence about how people with intellectual disabilities learn and thrive. Programs should be tested and adjusted based on feedback from participants and caregivers.
Healthcare providers, program designers, and policymakers should prioritize this. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers should advocate for adapted programs. Family members and support coordinators play a crucial role in implementation. This is less relevant for people without intellectual disabilities, though the principles of personalized, accessible health programs benefit everyone.
Changes to diabetes prevention programs won’t happen overnight. Healthcare systems need time to redesign programs, train staff, and build community partnerships. Individuals might see improvements in physical activity and dietary habits within 3 to 6 months of starting a well-adapted program, but long-term diabetes prevention benefits typically take 1 to 2 years to fully appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t regular diabetes prevention programs work for people with intellectual disabilities?
Standard programs often use complex language and don’t account for how people with intellectual disabilities learn best. They also overlook the role of caregivers and don’t address the unique social and environmental challenges these individuals face in staying active and eating well.
What changes would make diabetes prevention programs better for people with intellectual disabilities?
Programs should use simpler, more visual communication; involve caregivers as active partners; build activities into community settings where people already receive support; and ask people with intellectual disabilities what they actually need rather than assuming.
How can caregivers help someone with intellectual disabilities prevent diabetes?
Caregivers can help by supporting physical activity through enjoyable community activities, assisting with meal planning and preparation, using simple reminders and visual aids, and working closely with healthcare providers to track progress and adjust the plan as needed.
Is diabetes prevention possible for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
Yes, research shows that when programs are tailored to individual needs with proper support, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can successfully improve physical activity, dietary habits, and other factors that prevent diabetes.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily physical activity in simple, visual ways (such as counting steps or minutes of movement) and log meals with pictures rather than detailed descriptions. Use reminders set by caregivers or support coordinators to encourage consistent tracking.
- Work with your caregiver or support coordinator to set one small, specific activity goal each week, such as a 10-minute walk three times per week. Use the app to celebrate progress with visual rewards or simple messages of encouragement.
- Have caregivers or support coordinators review activity and dietary tracking weekly. Share app data with healthcare providers at regular check-ins to adjust the program based on what’s working. Focus on gradual improvements rather than perfection.
This commentary discusses recommendations for improving diabetes prevention programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Anyone with intellectual or developmental disabilities should work with their healthcare provider, caregivers, and support coordinators to develop a personalized diabetes prevention plan. The recommendations in this article are based on expert analysis and existing research but have not been tested as a complete intervention package. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making significant changes to health programs or lifestyle.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.