An examination of the nutritional intake and anthropometric status of individuals with intellectual disabilities: Results from the SOPHIE study

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity appears greater in people with intellectual disabilities than those in the general population. This study aimed to examine the nutritional intake and anthropometric status of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Participants aged 16-64 years were recruited from intellectual disability service provider organizations ( n = 131). Data were collected using questionnaires; 4-day food dairies and weight, height and waist circumference measurements. Participants' mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.4 kg/m ± 6.1, 2.4% were underweight, 22.6% were normal weight, 28.2% were overweight and 46.8% were obese. Having a diagnosis of Down syndrome ( p = 0.03) was associated with increasing BMI. Increasing waist circumference was associated with increasing severity of ID ( p = 0.04). The mean-reported energy intake was 1890 kcal/day. Mean energy intakes from sugar, fat and saturated fat were above recommendations and few participants met micronutrient recommended daily amounts. This study highlights the alarming prevalence of overweight and obesity and poor diet quality of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Diabetes in adults with intellectual disability: prevalence and associated demographic, lifestyle, independence and health factors

“…; Hoey et al . ), exercise less (Bartlo and Klein ; Dairo et al . ) and lead more sedentary lifestyles (Haveman et al .…”

“…Diet and physical activity are known to be key modifiable risk factors that should be integrated into lifestyle interventions to prevent or delay the onset of T2DM (Diabetes Australia Guideline Development Consortium 2009;Paulweber et al 2010;American Diabetes Association 2017). Compared with the general population, people with ID are more likely to have unhealthier diets (Robertson et al 2000;Hoey et al 2017), exercise less (Bartlo and Klein 2011;Dairo et al 2016) and lead more sedentary lifestyles (Haveman et al 2011;Melville et al 2018). They are also more likely to have complex physical health and/or mental health problems (Cooper et al 2015;Hughes-McCormack et al 2017) which further decreases their likelihood of leading healthy lifestyles Tyrer et al 2019).…”

Process evaluation of a cluster‐randomised controlled trial of multi‐component weight management programme in adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity

“…; Hoey et al . ). Participants had a broad demographic spread in relation to age, although more women participated than males.…”

“…; Hoey et al . ). There is a growing body of research focussed on evaluating “complex interventions” for the management of obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities (Harris et al .…”

A healthy diet to reduce the risk of dementia in people with a learning disability

“…This is corroborated by recommended daily intakes and biochemical markers of micronutrients not meeting the recommended amounts (Hoey et al 2016). Thus it could be postulated that people with a learning disability consume less antioxidants and polyphenols which has the potential to increase reactive oxygen species and pathological damage.…”