Our goal was to test the efficacy of an adapted health promotion intervention entitled ‘Health Matters Program’ (originally developed by Marks et al., 2013) on health related outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities (ID), and on staffs’ knowledge and attitudes in supporting this population to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This study also explored facilitators and barriers to engagement in health promotion activities.

Method
A multiphase mixed methods approach was used. A pre-post single design tested the outcomes of the programme on 28 staff (attitudes and nutrition knowledge) and 46 individuals with ID (weight, nutrition knowledge, health behaviour, nutrition self-efficacy and social supports). These outcomes were assessed pre-intervention, and 3 and 6 months post-intervention. Following this the barriers and facilitators to implementing the programme were explored within focus groups.

Results
Nutritional knowledge outcomes improved significantly for staff and people with ID. The focus groups found that consistent commitment from staff, managers and individuals with ID was critical to ensuring successful application of knowledge acquired from the programme in order to positively change health knowledge and behaviours.

Conclusion
Organisational, staff and service user buy in influenced successful implementation of the adapted ‘Health Matters Program’ and adherence to healthy lifestyles.