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Obesity in children with developmental and/or physical disabilities

Linda Bandini1, Melissa Danielson2, Layla E Esposito3

  • 1Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 200 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452, USA; Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, USA.

Disability and Health Journal
|June 11, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Children with disabilities face a higher obesity crisis. This article addresses the problem by exploring prevalence, risk factors, and research needs for healthy weight in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Disability Studies

Background:

  • Children with disabilities experience a disproportionately high prevalence of obesity.
  • Significant health-related conditions are often comorbid with disabilities, exacerbating obesity risks.
  • The exact magnitude of obesity in children with disabilities remains under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To convene experts to discuss obesity in children with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities.
  • To identify barriers and propose solutions for healthy weight status in this population.
  • To develop a research agenda addressing obesity in children with disabilities.

Main Methods:

  • A conference was organized by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
  • Scientists and practitioners in obesity and disability fields collaborated.
  • Current knowledge, risk factors, and research recommendations were discussed.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests a higher obesity prevalence in children with disabilities compared to their peers.
  • Factors influencing obesity risk in this population were identified.
  • Key barriers to achieving healthy weight were discussed.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is critical to understand and address the obesity crisis in children with disabilities.
  • Collaboration between obesity and disability experts is essential for developing effective interventions.
  • A dedicated research agenda is needed to improve healthy weight outcomes for children with disabilities.

Keywords:
ChildrenDevelopmental disabilityIntellectual disabilityObesityPhysical disability

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