24ACORNS is dedicated to providing a compilation of adaptations to 24 community-based obesity reduction strategies for youth and young adults with cognitive disabilities (autism and intellectual disabilities) and physical disabilities (spina bifida and cerebral palsy).

 

The Focus: The strategies on this site include proposed modifications to the CDC's 24 obesity reduction strategies in order to ensure they are inclusive, adaptive, and accessible for youth and young adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. The four areas that will be most closely examined are physical activity, nutrition, culture, and policy.

 

The Project: 24ACORNS and the adaptation portal is a product of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project II (DRPP II) at the University of Illinois at Chicago. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The 24 obesity reduction strategies that are being adapted were initially developed and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

The Purpose: Youth and young adults with disabilities live in and amongst the residents of their communities, and they deserve the same opportunities to participate in health promoting activities. By identifying and recommending potential strategies for encouraging inclusion in community-based obesity prevention programs, an important first step is being made to promote a healthier lifestyle and improve overall wellbeing for these individuals.