College
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Understanding Obesity Risk in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Key Diagnoses and Factors
Keywords
Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Obesity, Overweight, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Date of Presentation
5-1-2025 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Background:
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have obesity rates nearly twice those of the general population, leading to higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and reduced quality of life.1 Genetic syndromes such as Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Down syndrome (DS) feature distinct mechanisms driving weight gain.2 The burden of obesity in IDD exacerbates health disparities and strains caregivers and healthcare systems.3 Yet, comparative obesity prevalence and its drivers across specific IDD diagnoses remain poorly characterized.4
Hypothesis:
Obesity prevalence and underlying risk factors differ among IDD diagnoses such as ASD, DS, and PWS.5 Individuals with IDD are at high risk of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease due to the increased prevalence of obesity.
Methods:
Narrative review of RCTs, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on obesity in IDD (2010–2025, English, U.S. studies only).
Results:
• ASD: Elevated obesity driven by low activity, selective eating, and medication side effects.6
• Down syndrome: High obesity linked to hypotonia, hypothyroidism, and reduced metabolism.7
• Prader-Willi syndrome: Near-universal obesity due to hyperphagia and hypothalamic dysfunction.8
• Broader IDD: Obesity correlates with increased rates of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and metabolic syndrome.9
Conclusions:
Obesity risk varies markedly by IDD diagnosis. Syndrome-specific biological and behavioral mechanisms warrant tailored prevention and intervention strategies to reduce health disparities and improve long-term outcomes.10
Disciplines
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Disability Studies | Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental Disorders | Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms | Primary Care | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry
Included in
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Disability Studies Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Commons, Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons, Primary Care Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatry Commons
Understanding Obesity Risk in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Key Diagnoses and Factors
Background:
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have obesity rates nearly twice those of the general population, leading to higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and reduced quality of life.1 Genetic syndromes such as Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Down syndrome (DS) feature distinct mechanisms driving weight gain.2 The burden of obesity in IDD exacerbates health disparities and strains caregivers and healthcare systems.3 Yet, comparative obesity prevalence and its drivers across specific IDD diagnoses remain poorly characterized.4
Hypothesis:
Obesity prevalence and underlying risk factors differ among IDD diagnoses such as ASD, DS, and PWS.5 Individuals with IDD are at high risk of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease due to the increased prevalence of obesity.
Methods:
Narrative review of RCTs, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on obesity in IDD (2010–2025, English, U.S. studies only).
Results:
• ASD: Elevated obesity driven by low activity, selective eating, and medication side effects.6
• Down syndrome: High obesity linked to hypotonia, hypothyroidism, and reduced metabolism.7
• Prader-Willi syndrome: Near-universal obesity due to hyperphagia and hypothalamic dysfunction.8
• Broader IDD: Obesity correlates with increased rates of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and metabolic syndrome.9
Conclusions:
Obesity risk varies markedly by IDD diagnosis. Syndrome-specific biological and behavioral mechanisms warrant tailored prevention and intervention strategies to reduce health disparities and improve long-term outcomes.10
