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Original Articles

Nutrient intake and anthropometry in children and adolescents with Down syndrome–a preliminary study

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Pages 260-267 | Received 14 Apr 2008, Accepted 29 Sep 2008, Published online: 10 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Objective: To assess nutrient intake and anthropometrical characteristics of children and adolescents with DS, in Northern Greece.

Study design: 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.

Abbreviations
BMI=

Body Mass Index (kg m−2)

FMI=

Fat Mass Index (kg m−2)

FFMI=

Fat-free Mass Index (kg m−2)

DS=

Down's Syndrome

WHR=

Waist-to-hip ratio

BW=

Body weight

RDA=

Recommended Dietary Allowances

CHO=

Carbohydrate.

Abbreviations
BMI=

Body Mass Index (kg m−2)

FMI=

Fat Mass Index (kg m−2)

FFMI=

Fat-free Mass Index (kg m−2)

DS=

Down's Syndrome

WHR=

Waist-to-hip ratio

BW=

Body weight

RDA=

Recommended Dietary Allowances

CHO=

Carbohydrate.

Objetivo: Evaluar la ingesta de nutrientes y las características antropométricas de los niños, niñas y adolescentes con DS, en el norte de Grecia. Diseño del estudio: Estudio transversal de 34 jóvenes con DS. La muestra fue dividida en dos grupos etáreos de niños con edades entre 2 a 9 años y adolescentes con edades entre los 10 a 18 años de edad. Se utilizó un registro de comida de 3 dias con el propósito de evaluar la ingesta dietética. Para cada participante se registraron el peso corporal, la talla, WHR, porcentaje de grasa corporal, BMI, FMI, FFMI y las calificaciones z. Resultados: Todos los participantes mostraron una dieta alta en CHO y baja en grasas. Más de la mitad de los participantes reportaron tener 5 comidas diarias y la mayoría se ejercitaba 2 vaces por semana. Una gran mayoría presentó atrofia y sobrepeso de acuerdo a las tablas de crecimiento de la población general, mientras que el 22% de los adolescentes eran también obesos. El porcentaje de la Grasa corporal, IMC, FMI y FFMI fue mas alta en los adolescentes. En general, los participantes más jóvenes presentaron tasas de sobrepeso menores y consumieron una dieta suficiente en micronutrientes, sin embargo el WHR fue similar en ambos grupos etáreos, indicando una tendencia constante en la distribución del peso en los pacientes con SD. Conclusiones: Aunque los niños con DS nacen con una predisposición genética a tener sobrepeso, la obesidad es nutrida a lo largo de la infancia cuando desarrollan la independencia para elegir los alimentos. Palabras clave: Trisomía 21; ingesta de energía; micronutriente; macronutriente; obesidad, sobrepeso, dieta

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