Related Experiment Videos
Obesity and intellectual disability.
James H Rimmer1, Kiyoshi Yamaki
1Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608-6904, USA. jrimmer@uic.edu
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews
|January 26, 2006
Summary
Obesity is rising in adults with intellectual disability (ID), especially in the US. Environmental factors in less supervised settings significantly impact obesity rates in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Disability Studies
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Rising obesity rates are a global concern, with a disproportionately high prevalence among individuals with intellectual disability (ID).
- Adults with ID in the United States living in smaller, less supervised settings exhibit significantly higher obesity rates compared to those in larger, more supervised settings or in other countries.
- Environmental factors are strongly implicated in influencing obesity within the ID population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical issue of increased obesity prevalence in adults with intellectual disability.
- To emphasize the significant impact of environmental settings on obesity rates in this population.
- To underscore the urgent need for research into effective weight management strategies for obese individuals with ID.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review and analysis of existing research on obesity in individuals with intellectual disability.
- Comparative analysis of obesity rates based on living environments (supervised vs. less supervised settings) and geographical location (US vs. other countries).
- Examination of the theoretical influence of environmental factors on obesity.
Main Results:
- Adults with intellectual disability in the United States living in group homes and family households show substantially higher obesity rates.
- Obesity rates in this group are significantly higher than in individuals residing in larger, more supervised settings.
- Environmental influences are demonstrated to play a crucial role in the development of obesity in persons with ID.
Conclusions:
- Environmental settings significantly influence obesity prevalence in adults with intellectual disability.
- Obesity poses a serious threat to the quality of life, community integration, and healthy lifespan of individuals with ID.
- There is a critical need for research focused on developing and evaluating successful weight reduction interventions for obese persons with ID.