In Study 1, 503 people aged 10 years and above were invited to take part in a special health screening program led by two registered "learning disability" nurses. Subjects attended either a special school or day center or lived in a residential facility served by a Health and Social Service Trust in Northern Ireland. Of the 464 people who attended the special health screening clinic, 54% were male and 46% female; mean age was 31 (range of 10 to 68 years), with 24% age 10 to 19, 24% 20 to 29, 23% 30 to 39, 15% 40 to 49, and 13% age 50 or above. 73% of respondents were fully mobile, 15% required assistance with walking, and 12% were wheelchair users. 8% of respondents had Down syndrome. Respondents and their caregivers completed a health-check questionnaire designed to gather information about medical history, diet, and exercise. At the screening clinic, the learning disability nurses and two local doctors measured height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, heart sounds, and chest sounds; conducted tests of eyesight, hearing, urine, cholesterol, glucose, and blood; and examined skin, mouth, and feet of respondents. Following the clinic, outcomes were forwarded to each person's own general practitioner along with a specific referral letter for any condition that required attention. In all, 200 referral letters were sent to 91 area general practitioners. Three months later, a short questionnaire was sent to the person with an intellectual disability and his or her caregiver to evaluate the outcome of any referrals and recommendations.

In study 2, A series of health promotion classes was conducted at three locations (three groups, total n = 25, five of whom were not overweight but wanted to accompany friends who were participating). 68% of subjects were male and 32% female, with 60% aged 30 to 39, 12% in their 40s, 12% in their 50s, and 12% over 60 years of age. One person was under 20. Sessions were held weekly for either 6 weeks (two groups) or 8 weeks (one group) and lasted about 2 hours. Topics included healthy eating and exercise. Weight was monitored at each session and pre- and post- weight and body mass index (BMI) scores were compared.