Nutrient intake and anthropometry in children and adolescents with Down syndrome--a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess nutrient intake and anthropometrical characteristics of children and adolescents with DS, in Northern Greece.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of 34 youngsters with DS. The sample was divided into two age groups, children aged 2-9 years and adolescents aged 10-18 years old. A 3-day food record was used to assess dietary intake. Body weight, height, WHR,% body fat, BMI, FMI, FFMI and z-scores were recorded for each participant.


RESULTS
All participants exhibited a high CHO and low fat diet. More than half of the participants reported having five meals daily and the majority exercised twice a week. A great majority was stunted and overweight according to general population growth charts and 22% of the adolescents were also obese. %Body fat, BMI, FMI and FFMI was higher in adolescents. Generally, younger participants presented lower overweight rates and consumed a diet more sufficient in micronutrients; however, WHR was similar in both age-groups, indicating a constant trend in weight distribution of DS patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Although children with DS are born with a genetic predisposition to become overweight, obesity is actually nurtured throughout childhood when they develop food choices and become more independent.
Grammatikopoulou
Maria G
MG
Department of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Alexander Technological Educational Institute, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Manai
Albana
A
Tsigga
Maria
M
Tsiligiroglou-Fachantidou
Anna
A
Galli-Tsinopoulou
Assimina
A
Zakas
Athanasios
A
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018977:Micronutrients