Associations between neurodivergence, learning disabilities and metabolic syndrome risk: evidence from the Health Survey for England
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Shelton, Nicola
Abdinor, Sofia
Lodder, Annemarie
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
A higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome conditions amongst individuals with learning disabilities is well established; however, there is mixed evidence for neurodivergent adults.
Methods
Health Survey for England data 2016–19 were analysed. N = 32 390, 728 with neurodivergent conditions and 1419 with learning disabilities. Diabetes was self-reported and physician-diagnosed. Hypertension was assessed through blood pressure readings or reported medication use. Obesity and overweight were measured objectively. Covariates included age, sex and ethnicity and physical activity (2017–18 subsample).
Results
An association between obesity and neurodivergence was found [relative risk ratio (RRR) = 1.64 95% CI = 1.54–1.76, P < 0.001]. The association with overweight was weaker. An association was found for diabetes (OR = 4.18, 95% CI = 3.82–4.57, P < 0.001) and hypertension (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.40–1.64, P = < 0.001).
An association was found between obesity and learning disabilities (RRR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.42–2.04, P = < 0.001) but not overweight. An association was found for diabetes (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 2.01–2.85, P < 0.001) and hypertension (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.02–1.50, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
To mitigate metabolic syndrome risk, both adapting annual health checks available to adults with learning disabilities and adapting National Health Service weight management plans, to include neurodivergent adults is recommended.
A higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome conditions amongst individuals with learning disabilities is well established; however, there is mixed evidence for neurodivergent adults.
Methods
Health Survey for England data 2016–19 were analysed. N = 32 390, 728 with neurodivergent conditions and 1419 with learning disabilities. Diabetes was self-reported and physician-diagnosed. Hypertension was assessed through blood pressure readings or reported medication use. Obesity and overweight were measured objectively. Covariates included age, sex and ethnicity and physical activity (2017–18 subsample).
Results
An association between obesity and neurodivergence was found [relative risk ratio (RRR) = 1.64 95% CI = 1.54–1.76, P < 0.001]. The association with overweight was weaker. An association was found for diabetes (OR = 4.18, 95% CI = 3.82–4.57, P < 0.001) and hypertension (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.40–1.64, P = < 0.001).
An association was found between obesity and learning disabilities (RRR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.42–2.04, P = < 0.001) but not overweight. An association was found for diabetes (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 2.01–2.85, P < 0.001) and hypertension (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.02–1.50, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
To mitigate metabolic syndrome risk, both adapting annual health checks available to adults with learning disabilities and adapting National Health Service weight management plans, to include neurodivergent adults is recommended.
Date Issued
2025-09-01
Date Acceptance
2025-02-19
Citation
Journal of Public Health, 2025, 47 (3), pp.385-394
ISSN
1741-3842
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Start Page
385
End Page
394
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Public Health
Volume
47
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40056437
PII: 8064578
Subjects
ADHD
disabilities
hypertension
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
obesity
OBESITY
PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Science & Technology
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2025-03-08