Obesity and intellectual disability in New Zealand

The international literature suggests that obesity is likely to be more pronounced in the population of people with intellectual disability (ID). However, there are no published New Zealand data for this population.

We accessed a database containing anonymous data for a New Zealand ID population. Ninety-eight people of 141 had complete and up-to-date data. The group with complete data did not significantly differ from the group with incomplete data in gender or hours of staff care but were somewhat older. Comparisons were made with the general rates of adult obesity reported by the New Zealand Ministry of Health.

There were significantly higher rates of obesity in the group with ID (51.02%; general population 29.99%). There were significantly more adults with ID in all three obese body mass index (BMI) classes, with the most significant difference in Class III (BMI >or= 40).

There were more obese men and women with ID in this sample than would be expected, and women in Classes II and III are of particular concern. Research into the factors and potential interventions specific to men and women in this population to promote and maintain weight loss are warranted.