Nutrient intake and obesity in prepubescent children with Down syndrome

The aim of this study was to measure nutrient intake and body composition in prepubescent children with Down syndrome to understand dietary barriers involved in the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Dietary intake was determined from parent-reported 3-day diet records for children with Down syndrome and control subjects. Energy intake was compared with energy expenditure measured by the doubly labeled water method. Body composition was determined by deuterium dilution, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and skinfold thickness measurements.

Ten prepubescent children with Down syndrome and 10 control subjects were recruited from the hospital community. The study was conducted in the Clinical Research Center of the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Nutrient intakes were compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) to estimate risk for nutrient deficiency. Fat-free mass values determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis and measurement of skinfold thicknesses were compared with values determined using the deuterium dilution method.

Unpaired t tests were used for comparisons between subjects groups and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison of nutrient intakes with RDAs.

The subjects with Down syndrome were significantly shorter (P < .01) than control subjects; however, body composition did not differ between the groups. Reported energy intake was lower in subjects with Down syndrome. In addition, several micronutrients were consumed, especially among nonobese subjects with Down syndrome, at less than 80% of the RDA.

To avoid lowering already inadequate intakes of several vitamins and minerals, we suggest that treatment of obesity in children with Down syndrome combine a balanced diet without energy restriction, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and increased physical activity.