Total Energy Expenditure and Body Composition of Children with Developmental Disabilities

Authors

Michele L. Polfuss, Medical College of WisconsinFollow
Kathleen J. Sawin, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Paula E. Papanek, Marquette UniversityFollow
Linda Bandini, Boston University
Bethany Forseth, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Andrea Moosreiner, Medical College of Wisconsin
Kimberley Zvara, Medical College of Wisconsin
Dale A. Schoeller, University of Wisconsin - MadisonFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

7-2018

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Disability and Health Journal

Source ISSN

1936-6574

Abstract

Background

Obesity prevalence is increased in children with developmental disabilities, specifically in children with spina bifida and Down syndrome. Energy expenditure, a critical aspect of weight management, has been extensively studied in the typically developing population, but not adequately studied in children with developmental disabilities.

Objective

Determine energy expenditure, fat-free mass and body fat percentile and the impact of these findings on recommended caloric intake in children with spina bifida and Down syndrome.

Methods/Measures

This pilot study included 36 children, 18 with spina bifida, 9 with Down syndrome and 9 typically developing children. Half of the children with spina bifida were non-ambulatory. Doubly labeled water was used to measure energy expenditure and body composition. Descriptive statistics described the sample and MANOVA and ANOVA methods were used to evaluate differences between groups.

Results

Energy expenditure was significantly less for children with spina bifida who primarily used a wheelchair (p = .001) and children with Down syndrome (p = .041) when compared to children without a disability when adjusted for fat-free mass. However, no significant difference was detected in children with spina bifida who ambulated without assistance (p = .072).

Conclusions

Children with spina bifida and Down syndrome have a significantly decreased energy expenditure which directly impacts recommended caloric intake. No significant difference was detected for children with spina bifida who ambulated, although the small sample size of this pilot study may have limited these findings. Validating these results in a larger study is integral to supporting successful weight management of these children.

Comments

Accepted version. Disability and Health Journal, Vol. 11, No. 3 (July 2018): 442-446. DOI. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Polfuss, Michele L.; Sawin, Kathleen J.; Papanek, Paula E.; Bandini, Linda; Forseth, Bethany; Moosreiner, Andrea; Zvara, Kimberley; and Schoeller, Dale A., "Total Energy Expenditure and Body Composition of Children with Developmental Disabilities" (2018). Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications. 142.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/exsci_fac/142