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Journals / Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 37 Sayı: 3

Nutrition and Physical Activity Patterns Associated with Obesity in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review

Zihinsel Yetersizliği Olan Çocuk ve Ergenlerde Obezite ile İlişkili Beslenme ve Fiziksel Aktivite Örüntüleri: Sistematik Derleme

Ramazan Aksoy(T.C. Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı, Kırşehir İl Millî Eğitim Müdürlüğü, Kırşehir)0000-0002-4076-9688
Pelin Aksen(KIRIKKALE ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ, ANTRENÖRLÜK EĞİTİMİ BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0002-4210-3548
Pamela Beach(College of Health Science and Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology)0000-0003-3669-1408
Lauren Lieberman(Department of Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education, SUNY Brockport)0000-0002-5393-104X
Melanie Perreault(Department of Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education, SUNY Brockport)0000-0001-6437-2557
Pages
272–292
Publication Date
2026-09-10
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Overall, obesity in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities is associated with multiple behavioral and environmental factors, particularly inadequate nutrition and insufficient physical activity.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This systematic review aimed to examine dietary patterns and physical activity levels associated with obesity among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and to synthesize evidence on related interventions.
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Key Findings & Data:A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and DergiPark databases for studies published between 2020 and 2025.
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Conclusion & Impact:Overall, obesity in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities is associated with multiple behavioral and environmental factors, particularly inadequate nutrition and insufficient physical activity.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2020 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Zihinsel yetersizlik · Obezite · Beslenme örüntüleri

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to examine dietary patterns and physical activity levels associated with obesity among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and to synthesize evidence on related interventions. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and DergiPark databases for studies published between 2020 and 2025. Studies involving children and adolescents aged 2–21 years with intellectual disabilities were included. Following screening and eligibility assessment, 14 studies were included and synthesized qualitatively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity ranged from 18.3% to 38% across studies. Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities were characterized by low levels of physical activity, high sedentary behavior, and poor dietary quality, including inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables, and essential micronutrients such as vitamin D and zinc. Differences in obesity risk were also observed according to disability type and severity. Intervention studies indicated that combined nutrition and physical activity programs led to improvements in body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference in the short to medium term; however, evidence regarding long-term sustainability remains limited. Overall, obesity in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities is associated with multiple behavioral and environmental factors, particularly inadequate nutrition and insufficient physical activity. Although existing interventions demonstrate promising short-term outcomes, further high-quality, long-term studies are needed to establish sustainable and multicomponent approaches.

Özet

Bu sistematik derleme, zihinsel yetersizliği olan çocuk ve ergenlerde obezite ile ilişkili beslenme örüntüleri ve fiziksel aktivite düzeylerini incelemeyi ve ilgili müdahalelere yönelik kanıtları sentezlemeyi amaçlamıştır. Derleme, PRISMA rehberine uygun olarak yürütülmüştür. 2020–2025 yılları arasında yayımlanan çalışmalar için PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar ve DergiPark veri tabanlarında kapsamlı bir literatür taraması gerçekleştirilmiştir. Zihinsel yetersizliği olan 2-21 yaş arası çocuk ve ergenleri içeren çalışmalar dahil edilmiştir. Tarama ve uygunluk değerlendirmesinin ardından 14 çalışma dahil edilmiş ve nitel olarak sentezlenmiştir. Çalışmalar arasında fazla kilolu ve obezite prevalansı %18,3 ile %38 arasında değişmektedir. Zihinsel yetersizliği olan çocuk ve ergenlerin düşük fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri, yüksek sedanter davranış ve düşük diyet kalitesi ile karakterize olduğu; ayrıca meyve, sebze ve D vitamini ile çinko gibi temel mikro besin ögelerinin yetersiz alındığı belirlenmiştir. Obezite riskinde yetersizlik türü ve şiddetine göre farklılıklar da gözlenmiştir. Müdahale çalışmaları, beslenme ve fiziksel aktiviteyi birlikte içeren programların kısa ve orta vadede beden kütle indeksi, vücut yağ yüzdesi ve bel çevresinde iyileşmelere yol açtığını göstermiştir; ancak uzun dönem sürdürülebilirliğe ilişkin kanıtlar sınırlıdır. Genel olarak, zihinsel yetersizliği olan çocuk ve ergenlerde obezite, özellikle yetersiz beslenme ve düşük fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri olmak üzere çok sayıda davranışsal ve çevresel faktörle ilişkilidir. Mevcut müdahaleler kısa vadede umut verici sonuçlar gösterse de sürdürülebilir ve çok bileşenli yaklaşımların belirlenebilmesi için daha fazla yüksek kaliteli ve uzun dönemli çalışmaya ihtiyaç vardır.

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Cite This Article

Aksoy, R., Aksen, P., Beach, P., Lieberman, L., Perreault, M., *, P. A. (2026). Nutrition and Physical Activity Patterns Associated with Obesity in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review. Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 37 Sayı: 3, 272–292. https://doi.org/10.17644/sbd.1935636

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