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

• Published in: Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities 2018-11, Vol.31 (6), p.1225-1229
• Main Authors: O' Shea, Muireann, O' Shea, Carol, Gibson, Louise, Leo, Jennifer, Carty, Catherine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; bio‐electrical impedance analysis; Body fat; body fat percentage; Body Height; Body mass index; Body Weight; Case Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; Comorbidity; Comparative Analysis; Down Syndrome; Down Syndrome - epidemiology; Exercise; Female; Foreign Countries; Gender Differences; Humans; Incidence; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual Disability; Ireland - epidemiology; Male; Measurement; Obesity; Overweight - epidemiology; Pediatric Obesity - epidemiology; physical activity; Sex Factors; Young Children
• ISSN: 1360-2322; 1468-3148
• DOI: 10.1111/jar.12465

Background Overweight and obesity is a growing concern among individuals with intellectual disabilities; however, little is known about the prevalence among children and youth with Down syndrome (CYDS). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity among CYDS in South West Ireland. Methods This cross‐sectional study measured height and weight of 61 CYDS aged 4–16 years. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and percentage body fat (PBF) was measured using bio‐electrical impendence analysis (BIA). Results Using the International Obesity Task Force BMI cut‐offs, 51.6% of males and 40% of females were overweight/obese compared to 32% and 14.8%, respectively, using PBF. The mean PBF for males was 18.76 versus females 22.38 (p