Body mass index as an indicator of adiposity among adults with intellectual disability.
BACKGROUND
Body mass index (BMI) has been identified as a key health indicator and determinant of health for people with intellectual disability. Our aim was to examine whether BMI is a useful indicator of adiposity among a sample of adults with intellectual disability.


METHODS
Participants were 46 ambulatory community-dwelling volunteers with mild to moderate intellectual disability. Age ranged from 19 to 60 years, 25 were male, and 17 had Down syndrome. Soft tissue composition was determined using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer (DXA) and height and weight were directly assessed.


RESULTS
Regression equations revealed that BMI accounted for 68% of the variance in percent body fat and 83% of the variance in total body fat. Partial correlations of BMI with fat and lean masses determined by DXA were r = .91 and r = -.12, respectively. A BMI of >or= 30 had excellent specificity for obesity, but less than optimal sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
BMI appears to be a reasonable indicator of adiposity, although a BMI >or= 30 may misclassify a proportion of individuals assessed by DXA as obese.
Temple
Viviene A
VA
University of Victoria, BC, Canada. vtemple@uvic.ca
Walkley
Jeff W
JW
Greenway
Kate
K
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012112:Residential Facilities; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult