Brief report: Caregiver perceived physical activity preferences of adults with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Adults with Down syndrome commonly have low levels of physical activity and face social barriers to engaging in physical activity, including boredom and companionship concerns. Adults with Down syndrome are at increased risk for several co-occurring medial conditions known to benefit from physical activity, including obesity and dementia. METHOD: This study surveyed 140 caregivers of adults with Down syndrome to determine the physical activity preferences of their adult with Down syndrome. RESULTS: Dancing was the most frequently caregiver-reported physical activity preference for adults with Down syndrome, followed by walking and active video gaming. Rowing, using an elliptical machine, and jogging were the least preferred activities. Most caregivers reported that their adult with Down syndrome has a companion available for physical activity. CONCLUSION: Promoting dance in adults with Down syndrome, a caregiver-reported preferred form of physical activity, may help improve physical activity levels and decrease sedentary behaviours in this population.

Weight management recommendations for youth with Down syndrome: Expert recommendations.

Youth with Down syndrome (DS) have a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to the general youth population. Due to physiological and cognitive differences observed in youth with DS, weight management recommendations developed for the general population, may not be suitable for youth with DS. However, there are no recent recommendations for weight management in youth with DS. A workgroup of clinicians and researchers with extensive experience working with youth with DS came together to give clinicians and families guidance for weight management in youth with DS. Recommendations were developed by the workgroup via a methodical, deliberative process. After the initial development of the recommendations, they were shared with an expert review panel and caregivers who rated the strength of the recommendation and strength of the evidence. The workgroup moved forward the recommendations which the review panels rated as strong. Eight recommendations were developed which focused on screening for overweight and obesity, screening for health conditions that may impact dietary intake and physical activity, screening for feeding difficulties, setting appropriate recommendations for dietary intake and physical activity, and well as prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity using evidence-based strategies. These recommendations can be implemented by clinicians working with youth with Down syndrome as well as the family, school, and other relevant entities.

Physical activity patterns in adults with Down Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are less physically active than the general population, but limited data on objective physical activity patterns in adults with DS are available. METHODS: Free-living physical activity was measured by waist-worn accelerometry in adults with DS from 2018 to 2020. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate and regression analyses. RESULTS: Fifty-two subjects provided valid accelerometer data, with 46% male and a majority (75%) overweight/obese. Median (± standard deviation) daily sedentary time was 393.5 ± 216.6 min, light activity was 150.7 ± 85.5 min, moderate activity was 6.3 ± 13.5 min, and vigorous activity was 0 ± 9.8 min. Subjects had 10.3 ± 4.8 sedentary bouts per day lasting on average 30.7 ± 62.0 min. Median daily step count was 3,050 ± 1,988. Adults living alone had more steps and light physical activity in adjusted analyses. CONCLUSION: Adults with DS engage in little health-enhancing physical activity and do not meet current physical activity recommendations in the United States.