Emerson, E. (2005). Underweight, obesity and exercise among adults with intellectual disabilities in supported accommodation in Northern England. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49(2), 134-143.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to present data, on a larger scale than previously reported, on weight and exercise among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) living in supported accommodations in Northern England.

Participants

Data from 1,542 adults with ID who resided in supported accommodations outside of their family home were compared to data from the Health Survey for England 1998 and 2001.

Method

Body Mass Index (BMI) and levels of physical activity were measured in the 1,542 adults. Height and weight were taken from existing records and the Physical Activity Scale was used to obtain information on how many times an individual performed moderate to vigorous physical activity during the 4 weeks prior to the interview.

Results

Men and women with ID living in supported accommodations were found at increased risk for being underweight and inactive, with only 4% of participants meeting the criteria of being "physically active." Women with ID were at also at an increased risk of obesity compared to women in the general population. The most able and moderately able people with ID were at greater risk of obesity, the least able at greater risk of being underweight and physically inactive, while younger people were at greater risk of underweight, and older people were at increased risk of obesity.

Discussion

Results suggest that when compared to the general population, men and women with ID in supported accommodations are at increased risk of being underweight and inactive, and the women are at increased risk of obesity. The increased behavioral health risks were found to be associated with gender, severity of ID, age, and location.