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Adiposity in children: is mental retardation a critical variable?
C M Murphy1, D B Allison, R L Babbitt
1Kennedy Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Summary
Children with mental retardation (MR) do not show higher obesity rates than their non-MR peers. This study found no significant differences in adiposity or body fat distribution, challenging previous assumptions. Keywords: childhood obesity, mental retardation, adiposity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous research suggested a higher prevalence of obesity in children with mental retardation (MR).
- These studies often lacked robust control groups, questioning their validity.
- The relationship between cognitive impairment and childhood obesity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare adiposity and body fat distribution between children with and without mental retardation.
- To rigorously assess the association between mental retardation and obesity, controlling for confounding factors.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Compared 110 mentally retarded children with 107 non-mentally retarded children, analyzing BMI and age-corrected BMI.
- Study 2: Utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-II data, comparing 20 children with MR to 4015 controls on BMI, age-corrected BMI, and skinfold ratios.
- Statistical analyses controlled for age and gender, examining potential interaction effects.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in adiposity (BMI, age-corrected BMI) were found between mentally retarded and non-mentally retarded children.
- Body fat distribution, assessed by skinfold ratios, also showed no significant differences.
- These findings remained consistent even after controlling for age and gender.
Conclusions:
- The hypothesis that children with mental retardation are more prone to obesity is not supported by this research.
- Adiposity and body fat distribution are comparable between children with and without mental retardation.
- Future research should focus on other factors influencing childhood obesity, independent of cognitive status.