Relationship between dietary intake and prevalence of obesity in children with down’s syndrome

Abstract

Down’s syndrome is a condition that is characterized by mental and growth retardation associated with genetic anomalies, it affects approximately one in 800 live births globally by Aitken & Spencer, whereas the incidence of Down’s syndrome in Pakistan is one in 700 live births by Jamil. There are three types of Down syndrome called Trisomy 21, Translocation and Mosaicism all of which differ in the person’s mental ability but have the same characteristics i.e. short stature, broad facial profile, hyper-flexibility, enlarged tongue and obesity. Children with Down’s syndrome are more likely to suffer from obesity and overweight. According to a study, 50% children suffering from Down’s syndrome are obese or at a risk of developing obesity in the later years of their life by O’Brien. This alarming rate of obesity development in these children is due to a number of causes like genetics, environmental, social and most importantly dietary.1–6