Prevalence of overweight and obesity among students with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan: A secondary analysis

Evaluation of factors affecting body mass index of children with intellectual disability

This study was conducted to evaluate the BMI of the children with intellectual disability and the factors affecting their BMI. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out between March 2016 and April 2016 in Turkey and consisted of 135 children. Children's anthropometric measurements were and their BMI values were calculated. Categorization of children by BMI percentile according to AAP reference values was performed. There was a significant difference between the BMI categories of the children (p < 0.05) and the education level of children's father (x2 = 8.960; p = 0.028), the degree of intellectual disability (x2 = 16.113; p = 0.008), the presence of other disabilities (x2 = 22.013; p = 0.000), type of disability (x2 = 21.359; p = 0.001), the nutrient intake (x2 = 38.935; p = 0.000) and the presence of nutritional problems (x2 = 7.687; p = 0.042). Father's education level, children's degree of disability, child's having presence of other disabilities, child's being dependent in the view of nutrient intake, and child's having nutritional problems were determined as factors affecting BMI.

Physical activity levels of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities in Northern China

BACKGROUND

Limited research has looked at the physical activity (PA) among Chinese children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

METHODS

The Children's Leisure Activities Study Survey-Chinese version was applied in evaluating PA levels among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

RESULTS

The data indicated that only 29.5% of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities met the PA recommendation. Boys engaged in significantly more MVPA and had higher energy expenditure than girls during weekdays and the whole week. The general trend in PA levels demonstrated a downtrend with the growth of age of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. The students aged 6-12 years old performed more MVPA and had greater energy expenditure compared with those 13-15 and 16-18 years old.

CONCLUSION

The level of PA among Chinese children and youths with intellectual disabilities is remarkably low, and there is a large gap compared with the PA recommendation.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities in China

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents has become a worldwide epidemic. There are several studies that have concentrated on the prevalence rate of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID), whereas data on such a population on the mainland of China remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of overweight and obesity among school-aged children and adolescents with ID on China's mainland.

METHODS

This study employed a cross-sectional design to examine the body weight status of 1873 children and adolescents (ages 6-18 years old) with ID in 35 special education schools. Body mass index was calculated, and the concepts of overweight and obesity were defined according to the standard of the Working Group for Obesity in China.

RESULTS

Data indicated that 18.2% (95% CI: 16.5%-20.0%) of children and adolescents with ID were overweight and 14.4% (95% CI: 12.8%-16.0%) were obese. Boys with ID were more likely to be overweight than girls with ID (OR = 1.48[95% CI: 1.13-1.94], P < 0.05). Children and adolescents with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder had a trend to be classified as overweight (OR = 1.76[95% CI: 1.22-2.54], P < 0.05; OR = 1.57[95% CI: 1.17-2.09], P < 0.05, respectively) or obesity (OR = 1.82[95% CI: 1.23-2.69], P < 0.05; OR = 1.40 [95% CI: 1.02-1.93], P < 0.05, respectively) compared with those with ID without these conditions. Moreover, children and teenagers with ID living in urban areas had a predisposition to be overweight (OR = 2.16[95% CI: 1.14-4.09], P < 0.05) or obese (OR = 3.25[95% CI: 1.41-7.50], P < 0.05) relative to those who lived in rural areas.

CONCLUSION

Results indicated that in China, the prevalence rate of overweight and obesity among school-aged children and adolescents with ID was remarkably high. Therefore, future research should make every effort to focus on reducing and preventing overweight and obesity of this population in China.

Traumatic dental injuries in special health care needs children and association with obesity

BACKGROUND

Special needs children are at a higher risk of dental trauma because of neurological, physical, mental, and behavioral impairments. They are also at higher risk of developing obesity due to the side effects of medication.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the association between traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and obesity in children with special health care needs.

DESIGN

Analytical cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Schools for special needs children.

STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS

Special needs children with a diagnosis of TDI according to the Andreasen criteria were included in the study. Data on the disability status were obtained from a national demographic survey in 2016. Demographic and dental variables were measured for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse any relationship between TDI prevalence and obesity.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Relationship of body mass index (BMI) to TDI prevalence.

SAMPLE SIZE

350 (131 boys and 219 girls) special needs children with a median (interquartile range) age of 12.0 (2.0) years.

RESULTS

Eighty-one (23.1%) children presented with TDIs. The mean (standard deviation) BMI for the entire study population was 24.7 (7.8). Children with obesity had a 30.3% TDI prevalence compared normal-weight children (20.6%) (P=.035), but BMI category was not statistically significant in the regression analysis (P=.541), which showed that children with an overjet of >3 mm were 4.82 times (CI: 2.55-9.09, P=.001) more likely to have TDI than children with an overjet of ≤3 mm. Those with inadequate lip coverage were 2.85 times (CI: 1.49-5.44, P=.002) more likely to have TDI. Children with cerebral palsy were 3.18 times (CI: 1.89-11.32, P=.024) more likely to have TDI than children with other disabilities.

CONCLUSION

The study showed a significant association between TDI prevalence and increased overjet, inadequate lip coverage, and cerebral palsy. The prevalence of TDI among obese special needs children was statistically significant according to bivariate analysis, but not in a multivariate analysis that adjusted for other variables.

LIMITATIONS

Causal relationship cannot be established with cross-sectional study.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

Association between soft drink consumption, gastric reflux, dental erosion, and obesity among special care children

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the association between soft drink consumption, gastric reflux, dental erosion, and obesity among special care children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 350 special care children (male-131, female-219) mean age of 12.6 (± 2.6) years were included. Detection of dental erosion was performed according to the World Health Organization criteria. The medical evaluation assessed body mass index (BMI). With appropriate sample weighting, relationships between dental erosion prevalence and obesity were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of dental erosion was 36%. Mean BMI for entire study population was 24.7 (± 7.8). Regression analysis showed strong association between dental erosion prevalence and consumption of soft drinks (adjusted odds ratio = 1.8; 95% CI = 0.71-2.92, P < .05), bulimia (adjusted odds ratio = 2.27; 95% CI = 0.99-4.28, P < .001), and gastric reflux (adjusted odds ratio = 2.24; 95% CI = 0.82-4.1, P < .001). Bivariate analysis showed high prevalence of dental erosion among obese children compared to children with normal weight (P = .04).

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated a significant association between dental erosion prevalence and consumption of soft drinks and gastric reflux among special care children.

Prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity among Spanish students attending special education schools

BACKGROUND

Some studies suggest that children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) are at elevated risk of obesity. The objective was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with overweight and obesity among students attending special education schools in Cantabria, Spain.

METHODS

Cross-sectional design. A sample of n = 220 students with intellectual disability attending seven special education schools was selected using convenience sampling. Body mass index was classified into four categories according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria: underweight; normal weight; overweight; obesity.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 40.9% (95% CI: 34.6-47.5). Obesity was more frequent among females (26.0%) than males (9.8%), with an OR = 3.23 (95% CI: 1.53-6.85). Participants with Down syndrome showed an increased risk of obesity compared to other conditions (p = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of overweight/obesity among children, adolescents and young adults with intellectual disability was remarkably high, with females in general and students of both sexes with Down syndrome at particularly high risk.

Relationship of Weight Outcomes, Co-Occurring Conditions, and Severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Study to Explore Early Development

OBJECTIVE

To assess contributing factors to increased obesity risk, by comparing children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays/disorders, and general population controls in weight status, and to examine associations between weight status and presence of co-occurring medical, behavioral, developmental, or psychiatric conditions across groups and ASD severity among children with ASD.

STUDY DESIGN

The Study to Explore Early Development is a multisite cross-sectional study of children, 2-5 years of age, classified as children with ASD (n = 668), children with developmental delays/disorders (n = 914), or general population controls (n = 884). Using an observational cohort design, we compared the 3 groups. Children's heights and weights were measured during a clinical visit. Co-occurring conditions (medical, behavioral, developmental/psychiatric) were derived from medical records, interviews, and questionnaires. ASD severity was measured by the Ohio State University Global Severity Scale for Autism.

RESULTS

The odds of overweight/obesity were 1.57 times (95% CI 1.24-2.00) higher in children with ASD than general population controls and 1.38 times (95% CI 1.10-1.72) higher in children with developmental delays/disorders than general population controls. The aORs were elevated for children with ASD after controlling for child co-occurring conditions (ASD vs general population controls: aOR = 1.51; 95% CI 1.14-2.00). Among children with ASD, those with severe ASD symptoms were 1.7 times (95% CI 1.1-2.8) more likely to be classified as overweight/obese compared with children with mild ASD symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention of excess weight gain in children with ASD, especially those with severe symptoms, and in children with developmental delays/disorders represents an important target for intervention.

Physical self-concept and body dissatisfaction among Special Olympics athletes: A comparison between sex, weight status, and culture

BACKGROUND

Little research has looked at the associations between sex, weight status and culture, and the physical self-perceptions and body dissatisfaction of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) involved in Special Olympics (SO) sports.

AIMS

To examine sex- (male vs female), weight status- (non-overweight/obese vs. overweight/obese), and culture-based (North American vs. Asian) differences in physical self-concept and body dissatisfaction among SO athletes.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A total of 139 SO athletes (aged 12-30 years) with ID participated in this study and completed measures of physical self-perceptions and body dissatisfaction. Differences according to sex, weight status, culture, and their interactions were examined.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Males SO athletes presented higher levels of self-perceived physical strength and ideal body shape than females. Additionally, non-overweight/obese SO athletes presented higher levels of self-perceived physical appearance and physical condition than their overweight/obese counterparts, as well as lower actual body shape perceptions and body dissatisfaction. Moreover, North-American SO athletes presented higher levels of self-perceived physical appearance and sport competence than their Asians counterparts, as well as lower actual body shapes perceptions and body dissatisfaction.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

This study reveals substantial sex-, weight status-, and culture-based differences in the physical self-concept and body dissatisfaction of SO athletes.