Adapted Physical Exercise as Therapy in Managing Obesity among Persons with Down Syndrome

Authors

  • Owoade Philip Adeleke Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Joseph Odey Ogabor Department of Human Kinetic and Health Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Samuel Orim Orim Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Martina Ayibeya Apie Department of Human Kinetic and Health Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • James Abua Ewa Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Nsagha Nkang Osaji Department of Human Kinetic and Health Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Paul Osa Igbineweka Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • James Eburikuri Olayi Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel Ahueansebhor Department of Human Kinetic and Health Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Matthew Ashike Orim Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Francis Ademola Sanda Department of Curriculum and Teaching, University of Calabar, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6322-076X
  • Racheal Daniel Ama-Abasi Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9154-9489
  • Augustine Undiugweundemaye Ani Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Samuel Okpon Ekaete Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Utenghe-Obong Ene Nna Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Precilla Alu Olofu Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2025.14.02.04

Keywords:

Adapted physical exercise, down syndrome, and obesity

Abstract

This study investigated the efficacy of adapted physical exercise in managing obesity among persons with Down Syndrome (ID) in selected special schools in Cross River state. Three null hypotheses were generated for the study. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted. Two special schools and 20 persons with DS were purposively selected from the Special Schools Centre, Ibom Layout, and the Special Education Centre, Ikom, both in Cross River State, Nigeria. The age distribution of the participants is between 6-16 years. Adapted physical activities were used as a therapeutic intervention for six weeks. Kilograms Assessment Scale (KAS) (0.76) was used as an instrument for data collection. ANCOVA was used for data analysis. Results indicated that persons with ID who received intervention (adapted physical exercise) had their body weight reduced. Age and sex did not affect the efficacy of the intervention. It was recommended that physical exercise should be adopted in the management of obesity among persons with DS.

References

Dada OA, Okpara AC, Adeleke OP, Okon MO, Merimekwu A, Anagbogbu GE, et al. Cumulative rehearsal and verbal memory of persons with Down syndrome. J Intellect Disabil Diagn Treat 2022; 10(1): 114-21.

Nwokedi O, Ekpenyong BN, Musa NR, Ovenseri-Ogbomo GO. Refractive errors in children with Down syndrome in Lagos State, Nigeria. J Niger Optom Assoc 2018; 20: 15-22.

Weijerman M, De Winter P. Clinical practice: The care of children with Down syndrome. Eur J Pediatr 2010; 169(12): 1445-52.

Adeleke OP, Manuel MN. Improving the quality of life of children with intellectual disability through effective early childhood education. Lagos Educ Rev (LER) 2019; 18(1): 275-90.

Hanckova M, Betakova T. Pandemics of the 21st century: The risk factor for obese people. Viruses 2021; 14(1): 25.

Healthline Media LLC. Obesity: What you need to know [Internet]. Reviewed by Losilma M, Moores D; 2023 [cited 2023 Oct 5]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/ health/diabetes/does-obesity-cause-diabetes#Takeaway

Ptomey LT, Oreskovic NM, Hendrix JA, Nichols D, Agiovlasitis S. Weight management recommendations for youth with Down syndrome: Expert recommendations. Front Pediatr 2023; 10: 1064108.

Caprio S, Santoro N, Weiss R. Childhood obesity and the associated rise in cardiometabolic complications. Nat Metab 2020; 2(3): 223-32.

Bertapelli F, Pitetti K, Agiovlasitis S, Guerra-Junior G. Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with Down syndrome—Prevalence, determinants, consequences, and interventions: A literature review. Res Dev Disabil 2016; 57: 181-92.

Huovinen T. Adapted physical activity [Internet]. University of Jyväskylä; 2018 [cited 2023 Oct]. Available from: https://www.jyu.fi/sport/en/adapted-physical-activity

Asonitou K, Mpampoulis T, Irakleous-Paleologou H, Koutsouki D. Effects of an adapted physical activity program on physical fitness of adults with intellectual disabilities. Adv Phys Educ 2018; 8: 321-36.

Habaseth H. Early childhood development: Physical activity in early childhood [Internet]. Novak Djokovic Foundation; 2017 [cited 2023 Jan 23]. Available from: https://novakdjokovicfoundation.org/early-childhood-development-physical-activity-early-childhood/

Oyundoyin JO, Adeleke OP. Outdoor activities as a therapy in enhancing social competence among children with autism. Afr J Pedagog 2012; 4: 91-101.

Suryadinata RV, Wirjatmadi B, Adriani M, Lorensia A. Effect of age and weight on physical activity. J Public Health Res 2020; 9(2): 1840.

Van Uffelen JGZ, Khan A, Burton NW. Gender differences in physical activity motivators and context preferences: A population-based study in people in their sixties. BMC Public Health 2017; 17: 624.

Smith J, Johnson A, Brown M. Understanding the impact of adapted physical exercise on obesity in children with Down syndrome. J Pediatr Health 2019; 15(3): 123-45.

Oyundoyin JO, Adeleke OP. Physical exercise as a therapeutic strategy in reducing hyperactivity among children with severe mental retardation. Afr J Spec Educ Needs 2010; 5(1): 58-69.

Gomez R, Adams C, Miller E. Social and behavioral aspects of adapted physical exercise: Insights from children with Down syndrome. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2021; 18(1): 56-73.

Williams D, Harris L, Robinson K. Parental involvement in exercise programs for childrehttps://lifescienceglobal.com/pms/index.php/ijchn/$$$call$$$/grid/users/author/author-grid/add-author?submissionId=10232&publicationId=9014n with Down syndrome: A key to success. Adapt Phys Act Q 2018; 22(3): 189-205.

Johnson A, Clark B, White S. Physical activity and its role in weight management in Down syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol 2020; 25(2): 67-82.

Downloads

Published

2025-05-16

How to Cite

Adeleke, O. P. ., Ogabor, J. O. ., Orim, S. O. ., Apie, M. A. ., Ewa, J. A. ., Osaji, N. N. ., Igbineweka, P. O. ., Olayi, J. E. ., Ahueansebhor, E. ., Orim, M. A. ., Sanda, F. A. ., Ama-Abasi, R. D. ., Ani, A. U. ., Ekaete, S. O. ., Ene Nna, U.-O. ., & Olofu, P. A. . (2025). Adapted Physical Exercise as Therapy in Managing Obesity among Persons with Down Syndrome. International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 14(2), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2025.14.02.04

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2025)

Section

General Articles

License

Policy for Journals/Articles with Open Access

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  • Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

  • Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work

Policy for Journals / Manuscript with Paid Access

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  • Publisher retain copyright .

  • Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work .
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC