Nutritional assessment and obesity in Down syndrome children and their siblings in Saudi Arabia
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Published on: February 2, 2017
Manal M Samarkandy1, Badreldin A Mohamed, Adel A Al-Hamdan
1Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Children with Down syndrome (DS) in Saudi Arabia show higher obesity rates and lower nutrient intake compared to siblings. This highlights obesity as a significant concern in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition affecting development.
- Nutritional status and obesity are critical health considerations in children with DS.
- Limited data exists on Saudi children with DS regarding these factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional status of children with Down syndrome (DS).
- To determine the prevalence of obesity in Saudi children with DS.
- To compare nutritional parameters between children with DS and their healthy siblings.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving pre-pubertal children with DS and their healthy siblings.
- Measurements included height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT).
- Macro- and micronutrient intakes were assessed; study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Main Results:
- Children with DS were shorter but had higher BMIs and TSFTs than controls.
- The prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly higher in the DS group.
- DS children exhibited lower intakes of fat, protein, retinol, riboflavin, and potassium.
Conclusions:
- Obesity is a prominent health issue among Saudi children with Down syndrome.
- Nutritional deficiencies in specific micronutrients and macronutrients are evident.
- Further research and targeted interventions are warranted for this population.
Objective:
To assess the nutritional status and prevalence of obesity among children with Down syndrome (DS).
Methods:
The study group comprised pre-pubertal children, with clinically and cytogenetically proven DS. Healthy siblings, closest in age to the DS children, were used as a control group. Body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT), and macro- and micronutrient intakes were measured in both groups. The study was conducted in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between February and May 2011.
Results:
Children with DS were shorter than their siblings, but had comparable weights. The DS children had higher BMIs and higher TSFTs, compared with their siblings. The prevalence of overweight and obesity differed significantly between the DS and control groups. The DS children had significantly lower intakes of fat, protein, retinol, riboflavin, and potassium compared with their siblings.
Conclusion:
Obesity appears to be a prominent feature among Saudi DS children.
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