Health Promotion and Obesity Management in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Thursday, October 30, 2025

8:15 AM - 9:15 AM

Location: ROOM: Williford A >>> DIRECTIONS: Third Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed left. Williford A is the first room on your right.

Corresponding Presenter(s)

Anton Dietzen, DC, MD

Medical Director of Pediatrics
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Northwestern Medicine
Wheaton, IL, United States

Slides Slides

Presenter(s)

Margaret A. Tunney, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist / Assistant Professor
Kennedy Krieger Institute / Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, United States

Slides Slides

Obesity and overweight is increasing in the US and has a significant impact on function and health. Individuals with disabilities are at increased risk for overweight and obesity as well as associated decline in function and deleterious health outcomes. In addition, individuals with disability presend unique management challenges and require an individualized, comprehensive approach to health and weight management.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participant will be able to understand the incidence and prevalence of overweight and obesity in special needs population and typically developing peers.
Upon completion, participant will be able to recognize contributing factors to overweight and obesity in children with special needs.
Upon completion, participant will be able to identify children with special needs for overweight and obesity based on body composition and BMI.
Upon completion, participant will be able to list co-morbidities associated with overweight and obesity in children with special needs.
Upon completion, participant will be able to describe next steps in management from nutritional, behavioral and pharmacological management of overweight and obesity.