Obesity and overweight in youth and adults with Down syndrome in Morocco: Prevalence and determinants

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their determinants among a sample of youth and adults with Down syndrome (DS) in Morocco. Materials and methodsA retrospective survey conducted between 2014 and 2017 based on a standardized questionnaire, addressed to the parents of 264 children, adolescents and adults with DS aged from 2 to 40 years old. The classification of corpulence in children and adolescents was determined according to the WHO (2007). Chi2 (χ2) and Mann–Whitney tests were used for testing statistical significance. ResultsThe overweight rate was 2 times higher in males than in females (31.7% and 16.0%, respectively). While the obesity was more than 2.5 times higher in females than in males (29.0% and 11.5%, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that none of the factors studied (sex, age, family socioeconomic level, parent's level of education, number of meals per day, physical activity) was risk factor for obesity in our population, except the behavior of eating in the absence of hunger (OR=4.99; 95% CL: 2.51–9.90; P<0.0001). ConclusionsOverweight and obesity can be considered as factors of over-handicap for this population; hence, the need of a nutritional and physical activity approach must be added to the medical and paramedical care of individuals with DS.