Dietary Practices, Physical Activity, and Body-Mass Index in a Selected Population of Down Syndrome Children and Their Siblings

Abstract

Thirty sibling pairs, each with one Down syndrome child between the ages of 2 and 14, were selected from families who had participated in an infant-stimulation program. The maternal and paternal educational levels were 14.9 and 16.9 years, respectively. The Down syndrome patients and their siblings were compared in terms of body-mass index, that is, weight/stature2 (w/s2); activity as measured on a questionnaire; and weekly caloric intake. There were no significant differences between the Down syndrome children and their siblings in terms of w/s2. The Down syndrome patients were less active than their siblings and spent significantly more time indoors, showing a preference for indoor activities. Caloric intake calculated as percentage of recommended allowance for height was somewhat less in the Down syndrome children--88.7%, compared with 95% in the siblings--but not significantly so. It is postulated that even though Down syndrome patients have been shown to be at risk for obesity, familial and other environmental factors, such as dietary control and involvement in physical activity, have an influence.

Effect of 24 Weeks of Physical Activity Therapy on the Low Leg Muscular Strength

“…Teenagers with mental retardation have difficulty in communicating with friends, which leads them into fewer amounts of co-activity with normal companions 1,2) . Measurements of muscle strength, endurance, agility, balance, running speed, flexibility and reaction time, for the comparison and study of the level of physical strength between mentally retarded children and normal peers, demonstrate that mentally retarded children consistently display lower levels of fitness than normal peers 3,4) .…”

Free and bound leptin in prepubertal children with Down's syndrome and different degrees of adiposity

“…Increased plasma leptin concentrations have been reported in human obesity (Maffei et al, 1995), a condition more frequent in Down's syndrome (DS) than in normal subjects (Sharav & Bowman, 1992). Leptin concentrations correlate with adiposity and body mass index (BMI) in lean and obese subjects (Ahima et al, 2000), and in adult obese women with DS (Cento et al, 1999).…”

Impact of ER gene polymorphisms on overweight and obesity in Down Syndrome

“…Parents were instructed on measuring techniques and serving size, which they recorded for 2 weeks, also keeping track of meal or snack times, and the type of food and preparation methods using household measures. Determining caloric intake was performed with the assistance of a nutritionist as described by Sharav and Bowman [11]. The percentage of caloric intake in both, DS and controls, was compared to the recommended energetic requirement for height, because children with DS are usually short for age [11].…”

“…Determining caloric intake was performed with the assistance of a nutritionist as described by Sharav and Bowman [11]. The percentage of caloric intake in both, DS and controls, was compared to the recommended energetic requirement for height, because children with DS are usually short for age [11]. Parents were then requested to compile the Telama questionnaire for physical activity over a 2-week period [12].…”

“…They also recorded the participation in sports, such as swimming, skating and gymnastics. The daily number of hours that DS subjects spent in physical activity were estimated [11]. Using a 1 to 5 graded scale, the physical activity of DS subjects was compared to the 40 healthy age-matched controls for movement when playing and/ or walking [11].…”