Obesity in children with physical disabilities: a clinical and

Amy McPherson,
PhD, CPsychol (UK), AFBPsS, Scientist, Bloorview Research
Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital & Assistant Professor, Dalla
Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Obesity in children with physical disabilities:
a clinical and research dilemma
Canadian children are at increased risk for diseases related to physical inactivity, poor diet and
obesity, as their activity levels are drastically lower than recommendations and over one quarter of
them are overweight or obese. Children with disabilities demonstrate even poorer health behaviours;
compared to their typically developing peers they demonstrate significantly higher levels of sedentary
behaviours, lower participation rates in physical activity and report poorer quality diets. They also have
2-3 times higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. This threatens the longer life expectancies
made possible by other medical advances.
The presentation will outline existing research on the physiological, environmental, psychosocial and physical
factors that contribute to this picture. Key findings from an ongoing program of research addressing weightrelated issues in children with disabilities will be discussed, including a qualitative exploration of the meaning
of ‘healthy living’ to children with physical disabilities; a medical record review in a large spina bifida clinic to
gather anthropometric data and identify priority concerns; a comprehensive scoping review of obesity
prevention programs for children with disabilities; an environmental scan of weight assessment and
management practices in spina bifida clinics across Canada; and an examination of the inclusion/exclusion
criteria of studies included in the most recent Cochrane systematic review for childhood obesity prevention.
Future directions addressing the clinical care and research participation of children with disabilities and their
families around weight and health will be discussed.
L E M A R D I 1 9 N OV E M B R E 2 01 3
À 1 2H10
A M P H I T H É Â T R E , P O I N T D E S ERV I C E S T - LO U I S
2 97 5 , C H E M I N S T - L O U I S
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