Out-patient dietary management in the Prader-Willi syndrome

Dietary adherence of eight children with the Prader-Willi syndrome was studied in the home environment. Weight changes were recorded at two-week intervals, and measured two-week dietary records were completed twice during the study by the parents of seven of the children. An eighth child was similarly followed for three months, and one dietary record was obtained. Calories, protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents were calculated, and related to recorded weight changes to determine which diets were most practical in controlling weight gain. Caloric requirements of children with the Prader-Willi syndrome appear to be much lower than those of healthy, active children of comparable ages. Age, degree of obesity, familial relationships, and probably, composition of the diet influenced the effectiveness of a given diet. Each family designed a diet which took into consideration the family's eating habits, as well as the needs of the Prader-Willi child. Frequent contact with the dietitian enabled each family to try new food preparation ideas. The effectiveness and acceptability of a low caloric, very low-carbohydrate diet should be tested over long periods in Prader-Willi children whose obesity is being managed in a non-institution setting.