Brief report: Physical activity assessment and counseling in adults with Down syndrome

Abstract

Adults with Down syndrome are at an increased risk for developing certain medical conditions, which can be further exacerbated by lower levels of physical activity. Physician counseling can provide a supportive environment to encourage modes of physical activity accessible to patients and caregivers. While some adults with Down syndrome have access to a Down syndrome specialty clinic, most are followed only by a primary care physician. This report includes adult patients with Down syndrome followed at a Down syndrome specialty clinic in Boston and compares physical activity assessment and counseling rates by Down syndrome specialists and primary care physicians. Patients were more likely to have physical activity assessment and counseling performed by a Down syndrome specialist than by a primary care physician. A better understanding of the barriers primary care physicians caring for adults with Down syndrome experience related to physical activity counseling could help improve important health habit counseling in this high-risk population.