Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in older people with intellectual disability

The prevalence and correlates of cardiovascular risk factors in older adults with intellectual disability was examined. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 50- to 90-year-old clients (N = 470) of three Dutch intellectual disability care providing organizations and found that healthy behavior was low, with 98.9% of the participants having an unhealthy diet and 68.3%, a lack of exercise. Smoking (13.6%) and alcohol abuse (0.3%) were relatively minor problems. Abdominal overweight (70.4%), diabetes (8.7%), hypertension (36.8%), and hypercholesterolemia (31.8%) were highly prevalent. These profiles have important implications in determining the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with intellectual disability. Campaigns to promote health should be focused on education and the introduction of preventive screening programs.