Healthy People 2000 Midcourse Review and 1995 Revisions included the addition of 123 new special population targets, focusing on prevention and on reducing the health disparities between specific groups and the general population. Persons with disabilities were targeted to reduce overweight prevalence to 25% or less. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of obesity, to investigate the relationship between obesity status and variables that may influence obesity rates, and to examine the type and number of co-morbid conditions among persons with mental retardation. Participants included 1,021 adults (447 females, 574 males) with a primary diagnosis of mental retardation who were receiving habilitation services from a large Midwestern state agency. Using a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or more, 19.2% of the sample were classified as obese, exceeding national and state prevalence estimates for the general population. Logistic regression was utilized to determine factors that were jointly associated with obesity. Significant variables identified in the multivariate analysis included age, gender, severity of mental retardation, drug therapy, and the presence of a clinical syndrome. Descriptive analysis of selected healthy lifestyle characteristics revealed too few individuals participating in structured physical exercise, poor documentation of smoking behavior, a large percentage of persons with total cholesterol readings above recommended levels, and a high intake of prescribed medications. These findings have implications for a greater emphasis on preventive efforts and strategies for health promotion.
Learning Objectives: 1. Define the prevalence of overweight and obesity in persons with mental retardation. 2. Describe risk factors for obesity in persons with mental retardation. 3. Discuss strategies to reduce the prevalence of obesity among persons with mental retardation
Keywords: Obesity, Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.