The Association of Increased Body Mass Index on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Cognition in Adults with Down Syndrome

Overview

Journal Disabil Health J

Publisher Elsevier

Specialties Health Services
Public Health
Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2023 Jul 5

PMID 37407386

Authors

Danica Dodd

Brian Helsel

Amy E Bodde

Jessica C Danon

Joseph R Sherman

Joseph E Donnelly

Richard A Washburn

Lauren T Ptomey

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease; however, this association has not been explored in adults with Down syndrome.

Objective: To examine the association of obesity, assessed by body mass index (BMI), with factors related to Alzheimer's disease risk including cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and cognition in adults with Down syndrome.

Methods: Adults with Down syndrome attended a laboratory visit where BMI, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO), and cognitive function (CANTAB® DS Battery) were obtained. Physical activity (accelerometer) was collected over the week following the laboratory visit. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to evaluate differences in cardiorespiratory fitness, sedentary time, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and cognition between adults with obesity (BMI≥ 30 kg/m) and those with healthy weight or overweight (BMI <30 kg/m). Spearman correlations and linear regressions were used to measure the impact of BMI on cardiorespiratory fitness, MVPA, sedentary time, and cognition.

Results: Data was collected for 79 adults with Down syndrome (26.7 ± 9.0 years of age, 54% female, 54% with obesity). VO was significantly lower in participants with obesity (18.4 ± 2.5 ml/kg/min) compared to those with healthy weight or overweight (22.9 ± 4.0 ml/kg/min, p < 0.001). BMI was negatively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (rho = -0.614, p < 0.001). No associations were observed between BMI and physical activity or cognition.

Conclusions: Lower BMI was associated with improved cardiorespiratory fitness. However, no associations were observed between BMI and cognition or physical activity.

Nct Registration: NCT04048759.

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