Original Article

Preservation of Muscle during Treatment for Obesity in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Authors: Philip B. May, MD, Rif S. El-Mallakh, MD

Abstract

Objectives: Adults with intellectual disabilities will frequently experience sedentary behavior and excessive weight, which may cause or exacerbate a multitude of medical and behavioral problems. This study examined a program to encourage increased activity and weight loss in an outpatient service for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: Behavioral methods were used to treat obesity in 33 male and 21 female adults with intellectual disabilities for a mean of 9 months. They were retrospectively analyzed to determine the effects of treatment on muscle and adiposity using body composition analysis.

Results: The 54 participants of the original 122 (44.3%) who did not drop out were divided into three groups: weight loss ≥3 kg/3% (n = 20, 37%), weight loss <3 kg/3% (n = 17, 31.5%), and no weight loss or weight gain (n = 17, 31.5%). Only men and women who lost ≥3 kg/3%, demonstrated significant gain of relative muscle mass. Those who gained weight lost muscle mass.

Conclusions: If motivation remains high and follow-up is reasonably long, then a multicomponent obesity treatment program can lead to significant weight loss with preservation of muscle in adults with intellectual disabilities.

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