Obesity, diabetes and their metabolic correlates in middle-aged adults with Down syndrome

This cross-sectional study of 143 middle-aged adults with Down syndrome found that while 74% were overweight or obese, the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes was relatively low compared to the general population. Obesity was strongly associated with elevated leptin levels but not with the expected adverse metabolic markers (low HDL, high insulin, elevated inflammatory markers) typically seen in obese adults without Down syndrome.