Obesity and persons with down syndrome

Obesity in childhood has particular concern, because if it continues into adulthood, the result will be increased morbidity and decreased life expectancy. An increase in obesity in the general population in the developed world has been documented in recent years. This trend is also seen in persons with intellectual disability and in particular in persons with Down syndrome (DS). Persons with DS are prone to obesity already at an early age and several studies have shown a high prevalence in this population compared to persons with intellectual disability without DS and the general population. Persons with DS have a low resting metabolic rate and low dietary intake of individual nutrients and therefore exercise and vitamin-mineral supplement diet must be instituted in this population to prevent or minimize obesity and its adverse consequences.