Background Obesity has a negative impact upon mortality and morbidity. Studies report that obesity is more prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome than individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) not associated with Down syndrome. However, there have been no studies using a methodology of matched comparison groups and findings from previous studies are contradictory.

Methods  A detailed method was used to identify all adults with ID in Leicestershire. Individuals were invited to participate in a medical examination – that included measurement of their height and weight, from which body mass index (BMI) was calculated. For each person with Down syndrome, an individual matched for gender, age and accommodation type was identified, from the Leicestershire ID database.

Results  The data for 247 matched pairs is reported. Women with Down syndrome had lower mean height and weight, but greater mean BMI than the matched pairs. Men with Down syndrome had a lower mean height and weight but there was no statistical difference in BMI compared to the matched pairs. Using World Health Organization categories of BMI, women with Down syndrome were more likely to be overweight or obese than their matched pairs (odds ratio = 2.17). Men with Down syndrome were more likely to be in the overweight category than their matched pairs but were less likely to be obese (odds ratio = 0.85).

Conclusions  This study demonstrates that, compared to a matched sample, there is a greater prevalence of obesity amongst women with Down syndrome but not men. As the impact on the health of people with Down syndrome of being overweight or obese is uncertain, this is an area that requires further study.

Obesity in adults with Down syndrome: a case-control study.

Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with Down syndrome-prevalence, determinants, consequences, and interventions: A literature review.

Two hundred and one individuals with Down's syndrome were assessed for evidence of overweight and obesity. Thirty-one per cent of males and 22% of females were overweight, while 48% males and 47% females were obese. Overweight and obesity was significantly associated with living in the family home compared to supervised community units or in hospital. No association with the degree of learning disability was found.

Overweight and obesity amongst Down's syndrome adults

This paper reviews the recent literature on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence, CVD-related mortality, physiological CVD risk factors, and behavioral CVD risk factors in adults with mental retardation (MR). The literature on the potential influences of modifiable behavioral CVD risk factors and the physiological CVD risk factors are also reviewed. Adults with mild to moderate MR residing in community settings appear to have an elevated disease prevalence, elevated CVD-related mortality, more adverse physiological CVD risk factors, and elevated behavioral risk compared to others with and without MR. Preliminary evidence supports the benefits of participating in the recommended physical activity levels and consuming the recommended diets to reduce the risk for CVD. The lack of large-scale longitudinal or experimental research indicates a gap in the research. The development of research-based, appropriate, primary prevention programs and intervention strategies aimed at lowering the risk for CVD is highly recommended. Programs should focus on educating individuals with MR along with direct care providers and family members on the importance of appropriate dietary concepts, physical activity habits, and regular health screenings by physicians. Programs should be individualized to regional and cultural issues.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/mrdd.20095

Cardiovascular disease prevalence and risk factors of persons with mental retardation

Energy expenditure in children with Down syndrome: Correcting metabolic rate for movement

Resting metabolic rate and its relation with selected anthropometric measures was determined in 11 male and 7 female noninstitutionalized children with Down syndrome. Dietary analysis was performed to determine the nutritional status of the children and whether poor nutritional habits may be influencing factors in the development of obesity in this population. Resting metabolic rate for the total group was 170.4 +/- 38.65 ml.min-1 (0.17 +/- 0.04 ml.kg-1.min-1). Body weight, height, and surface area were moderately correlated with this rate, with height having the strongest relation. Daily caloric intake was 1,433.84 +/- 255.2 calories, comprising of 16.01 +/- 2.20% protein, 42.18 +/- 7.40% fat, and 40.60 +/- 8.83 carbohydrate. Calcium, potassium, and vitamin C were above and iron and thiamine below the recommended daily allowance.

H Frail

Papers

Metabolic rate: a factor in developing obesity in children with Down syndrome?