title: A nutrition survey of and recommendations for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome who live in group homes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe anthropometric data and identify diet-related problems of individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) who reside in group homes. A group home is a licensed foster care facility that provides 24-hour care for the developmentally disabled. Questionnaires were sent to dietitians (or the person responsible for nutrition care) of 25 group homes; responses from 18 homes were analyzed. The mean age of residents with PWS was 25 +/- 8.4 years and the mean height was 152.4 +/- 9.7 cm. The mean weight for 19- to 22-year-old men was 75.5 +/- 26.8 kg and that for women of the same age was 74.5 +/- 20 kg. The residents consumed a mean of 1,000 to 1,500 kcal/day. Most of the group homes (n = 16) locked their kitchens at night, and in 12 of the homes stealing and hoarding of food occurred. Pica behavior (eating of nonfoods) was reported in 7 homes. One third of all residents had success in weight loss and were on a maintenance diet, but a major problem was determination of a desirable weight goal. Our key recommendations for dietitians are weigh residents weekly; use the body mass index with prescribed zones for determination of weight goals; monitor change in circumference measurements; follow the guidelines of 7 to 8 kcal/cm of height for weight loss and 10 to 14 kcal/cm of height for weight maintenance; administer 1,000 kcal/day or more and encourage daily aerobic exercise; respect food preferences while adhering to dietary prescriptions; adhere to strict food control procedures; and use nutrition education methods and an interdisciplinary approach for behavior modification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Home Economics, Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant 48859.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aultman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pipes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D016352:Group Homes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires