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The prevalence of obesity in children and young people with Down syndrome

Muireann O' Shea1, Carol O' Shea2, Louise Gibson3

  • 1General Practitioner Training Scheme, Institute of Technology Tralee, Tralee, Ireland.

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities : JARID
|May 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Overweight and obesity are prevalent in children and youth with Down syndrome (CYDS), especially in males. This study highlights differences in prevalence estimates between BMI and body fat measurements.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Overweight and obesity are increasing health concerns for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
  • Limited data exists on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and youth with Down syndrome (CYDS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and youth with Down syndrome in South West Ireland.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 61 children and youth with Down syndrome aged 4-16 years.
  • Measured height and weight to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI).
  • Assessed Percentage Body Fat (PBF) using bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Main Results:

  • Using International Obesity Task Force BMI cut-offs, 51.6% of males and 40% of females were overweight/obese.
  • Using PBF, 32% of males and 14.8% of females were overweight/obese.
  • Prevalence of overweight/obesity, particularly in males, is higher in CYDS compared to the general child population.

Conclusions:

  • Significant discrepancies exist in overweight/obesity prevalence estimates between BMI and BIA in CYDS.
  • These differences have important implications for research methodologies and clinical assessments in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
Down syndromebio-electrical impedance analysisbody fat percentagebody mass indexobesityphysical activity

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