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

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.