Overweight and obesity in PKU: The results from 8 centres in Europe and Turkey

In PKU there is little data comparing the prevalence of overweight and obesity in different countries. The aim of this cross sectional study was to evaluate prevalence data from different PKU treatment centres in Europe and Turkey.

In children, body mass index (BMI) and z scores and in adults BMI were calculated in 947 patients (783 children aged < 19 years; 164 adults aged ≥ 19 years) with PKU from centres in Europe and Turkey (Ankara, Birmingham, Brussels, Copenhagen, Groningen, Madrid, Munich and Porto).

In adults with PKU, 83% of centres (n = 5/6) had less overweight than the general populations but 83% (n = 5/6) had a higher rate of female obesity. In childhood, all centres reported obesity rates within or similar to local population ranges in boys but in 57% (n = 4/7) of centres a higher rate of obesity in girls. The percentage of overweight and obesity increased with age.

In PKU, it is clear from a number of treatment centres that women and girls with PKU appear particularly vulnerable to excess weight gain and it is important that female weight gain is closely monitored and individual strategies introduced to prevent excess weight gain. Overall, in PKU there is a need to understand better the food patterns and activity levels of patients.