Overweight and obesity in 3- and 5-year-old children with and without developmental delay

SummaryObjectivesTo determine rates of obesity in nationally representative samples of 3- and 5-year-old children with and without developmental delay in the UK.Study designLongitudinal birth cohort study.MethodsSecondary analysis of data extracted from Waves 1–3 of the UK's Millennium Cohort Study.ResultsBy 3 years of age, children with developmental delay are significantly more likely to be obese than their typically developing peers [odds ratio (OR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.67]. The risk of obesity and overweight associated with developmental delay increased between 3 and 5 years of age (obesity OR at 5 years of age 1.80, 95% CI 1.23–2.54). Risk factors associated with obesity at 5 years of age among typically developing children (greater material hardship, living in more deprived neighbourhoods, female gender) were not apparent among children with developmental delay.ConclusionsIncreased risk for obesity is apparent in young children at risk of intellectual disabilities. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.