Imbalanced dietary patterns, anthropometric, and body composition profiles amongst adults with Down syndrome

ABSTRACT

Introduction: We aimed to analyze the anthropometric and body composition profiles of Down syndrome (DS) adults; to describe their dietary habits, nutrient intake, and physical activity patterns; and to identify the related risk factors which may influence their health status and quality of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a cohort of 23 DS adults (45% women) aged 21-44 years. Anthropometry and body composition were assessed by bioelectrical impedance. Dietary nutrient intake was assessed quantitatively using a 72-h recall. A food frequency questionnaire and the prevention with Mediterranean diet-PREDIMED questionnaire were used for qualitative rating.

Results: Higher fat mass (FM) and lower lean mass (LM), bone mass (BM), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were observed in women compared to men. LM and BM decreased, and body mass index (BMI), FM, and WHR increased with aging (all P < 0.05). Vitamin D and iodine intakes were not met by 70% and 60% of the studied participants, respectively. A total of 82% of the participants consumed less than 5 portions of fruits and vegetables per day and overconsumed food groups such as sweets and snacks and red meat (> 2 times per week). Protein intake showed a significant positive correlation with height (r = 0.489, P < 0.05), whereas fat intake was positively correlated with sweets and snacks (r = 0.521, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The present findings support the existence of poor anthropometric and body composition profiles, and diet quality, underscoring the need for an interdisciplinary team assessment to enhance health and quality of life in DS adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Down syndrome
• Adults
• Food frequency questionnaire
• Mediterranean diet
• Dietary habits
• Nutritional assessment
• Anthropometric profile
• Body composition
• Diet

Acknowledgments

The authors would also like to thank all the participants of this study and the GranaDown Association for their fundamental collaboration in this study. In addition, the authors thank Nutraceutical Translations for English language editing of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval

The confidentiality of all the data used and collected has been guaranteed at all times, complying with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the approval by the Ethics Committee of the University of Granada.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [H.V-L], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

Héctor Vázquez-Lorente [REF. FPU18/03655] and Lourdes Herrera-Quintana [REF. FPU18/03702] are under a FPU fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Education.

Notes on contributors

L. Herrera-Quintana

L. Herrera-Quintana studied Pharmacy at the University of Granada, where she also studied Human Nutrition and Dietetics and obtained her Master’s Degree. She is currently doing a PhD working on the assessment of nutritional status in critical ill patients. Her research is mainly focused on the micronutrients and their influence in patients’ health and recovery.

H. Vázquez-Lorente

H. Vázquez-Lorente is graduated in Nutrition and Dietetics and is currently working in his PhD in the School of Pharmacy and the Biomedical Research Center from the University of Granada, Spain. Vázquez-Lorente’s research interests include the relationship between diet, anthropometry, macromolecules, micromolecules and human health.

M. J. Carranco Romo

M. J. Carranco Romo studied Human Nutrition at Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, she also studied Human Nutrition and Dietetics and obtained her Master’s Degree at The University of Granada. She is currently working on a project to reduce child malnutrition in Ecuador. Her research interest are the effects of prenatal care and child’s health care and the impact in the reduction of malnutrition.

E. P. Flores Buitrón

E. P. Flores Buitrón is graduated in Nutrition and community health at the University UTN, Ecuador, where she also studied Human Nutrition and Dietetics and obtained her Masteŕs Degree at the University of Granada, Spain. Currently she is working in the primary health sector with pregnant women and children under 2 years of age.

J. Molina-López

J. Molina-López is a Professor of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at University of Huelva. He completed his PhD at University of Granada in Nutrition and Food Technology assessing nutritional status in high-performance athletes. His research interest lie in the assessment of nutritional status and the determination of nutritional biomarkers associated with health and sports performance.

M. T. Moya

M.T. Moya is a speech therapist at the Down Syndrome Association of Granada (GRANADOWN) since 1998. Currently is coordinator of the speech therapy service at GRANADOWN. She presents different research related to language development and communication in people with Down syndrome.

E. Planells

E. Planells is a Full Professor of Physiology in Pharmacy, Food Science and Technology, Nutrition and Speech Therapy degrees. She is a coordinator of the Master in Speech Therapy Research in degenerative disorders and brain damage at the University of Granada. She was a member of the Management Committee of the COST Action TD1304 Zn-Network and a leader of the Working Group Bomarkers Discovery. Her research interest is focused on the assessment of nutritional status and the determination of nutritional biomarkers associated with health.