The Prevalence and Determinants of Obesity in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Background Obesity is a major public health concern internationally and this study aimed to measure the prevalence of obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities in comparison with general population data, and examine the factors associated with obesity. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of all adults with intellectual disabilities, in a defined geographical area, in the context of a primary care health screening programme. A total of 945 adults with intellectual disabilities were involved, all of whom were living in the community. Body mass index (BMI), demographic characteristics, socio-economic deprivation, level of intellectual disabilities and various health parameters were measured. Results Overall, 39.3% of women and 27.8% of men were obese, compared with 25.1% of women and 22.7% of men in the comparison general population. The mean BMI of women with intellectual disabilities (28.8, range 12.3-59, SD 7.8) was significantly greater than the mean BMI of men with intellectual disabilities (26.7, range 12.6-49, SD 5.9), and women were more likely to be obese than men with intellectual disabilities (v 2 = 29.6, P < 0.001). Regression analyses showed that for both women and men, the risk of overweight and obesity reduced as the severity of intellectual disabilities increased, and Down syndrome was associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity. Conclusions There is a need to carry out research to further our understanding of the reasons behind the increased prevalence of obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities. Effective weight management interventions and accessible clinical services are required to reduce the health inequalities experienced by adults with intellectual disabilities.

Body mass index and waist circumference of Latin American adult athletes with intellectual disability

“…Our findings show that women were more likely to be overweight, obese, and have abdominal obesity than men. These sex-based differences are similar to those documented in smaller scale studies conducted in the USA, UK, and South Africa, 1,2,19,22,23 and two larger studies from the USA 28,32 and an earlier international study with Special Olympics participants. 10 The logistic regression analyses also revealed that age was a significant predictor of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity.…”

An evaluation of the effectiveness of annual health checks and quality of health care for adults with intellectual disability: an observational study using a primary care database

“…Our estimate that 36.4% of adults with ID measured were obese is similar to other UK findings, 101,102 but far exceeds a pooled prevalence estimate of 15% among adolescents with ID from several countries. 103 Although the association between ID and being underweight in adulthood is generally accepted owing to poor feeding and swallowing, 17 we were not aware of any population estimates of its prevalence.…”

Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition Services for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs

“…57 The prevalence of obesity in adults with IDD is approximately twice that in the general population. 58 These high rates of obesity combined with lower levels of fitness and poor diet quality result in an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. 59 Furthermore, overweight and obesity in individuals with IDD can place an extra demand on caregivers when an individual is dependent on physical assistance for activities of daily living.…”