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Home / Our research / Solutions focused research / Lifestyle Behaviours / Energy expenditure in adults with intellectual disabilities

Energy expenditure in adults with intellectual disabilities

 

Background
Sedentary behaviour is any waking behaviour, in a seated or reclined position, with a low energy expenditure. Sedentary behaviour is strongly related to all-cause mortality and premature death, and is an independent risk factor for numerous health conditions, e.g. type II diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental ill-health. Two previous studies have highlighted that when sedentary, adults with intellectual disabilities have a higher energy expenditure and exhibit more non-activity related movements, e.g. fidgeting, in comparison to the general population. This difference in energy expenditure could important implications for research, such as the measurement of sedentary behaviour and physical activity, which is often based on energy expenditure levels derived in the general population.

What we will do
This study aims to:
1) measure energy expenditure during sedentary behaviours in adults with intellectual disabilities, and:
2) calibrate accelerometers for the measurement of sedentary behaviour and physical activity in adults with intellectual disabilities.

Participants in this study will take part in various sedentary behaviours (such as sitting and lying down) and physical activities (treadmill walking). During these activities, movement will be measured using ActiGraph and ActivPAL accelerometers and energy expenditure will be objectively measured using breath-by-breath indirect calorimetry.

Results from this study will provide data on the energy expenditure associated with various behaviours in adults with intellectual disabilities. This will also enable the first accelerometer calibration specifically for adults with intellectual disabilities.

This study will provide essential data to improve our understanding of energy expenditure in adults with intellectual disabilities and the measurement of sedentary behaviour and physical activity.

For further information on this research, please contact Arlene McGarty.

Page updated February 2023