Dietary Practices, Physical Activity, and Body-Mass Index in a Selected Population of Down Syndrome Children and Their Siblings

Thirty sibling pairs, each with one Down syndrome child between the ages of 2 and 14, were selected from families who had participated in an infant-stimulation program. The maternal and paternal educational levels were 14.9 and 16.9 years, respectively. The Down syndrome patients and their siblings were compared in terms of body-mass index, that is, weight/stature2 (w/s2); activity as measured on a questionnaire; and weekly caloric intake. There were no significant differences between the Down syndrome children and their siblings in terms of w/s2. The Down syndrome patients were less active than their siblings and spent significantly more time indoors, showing a preference for indoor activities. Caloric intake calculated as percentage of recommended allowance for height was somewhat less in the Down syndrome children--88.7%, compared with 95% in the siblings--but not significantly so. It is postulated that even though Down syndrome patients have been shown to be at risk for obesity, familial and other environmental factors, such as dietary control and involvement in physical activity, have an influence.