Energy expenditure and weight-related behaviors in youth with Down syndrome: a protocol

Michele Polfuss; Linda G Bandini; Michele N Ravelli; Zijian Huang; Andrea Moosreiner; Dale A Schoeller; Chiang-Ching Huang; Dan Ding; Cristen Berry; Emma Marston; Azeem Hussain; Timothy C Shriver; Kathleen J Sawin

doi:10.3389/fped.2023.1151797

Energy expenditure and weight-related behaviors in youth with Down syndrome: a protocol

Front Pediatr. 2023 Jul 20:11:1151797. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1151797. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Michele Polfuss^{1

2}, Linda G Bandini³, Michele N Ravelli⁴, Zijian Huang⁵, Andrea Moosreiner⁶, Dale A Schoeller⁴, Chiang-Ching Huang⁷, Dan Ding⁵, Cristen Berry⁸, Emma Marston¹, Azeem Hussain⁷, Timothy C Shriver⁴, Kathleen J Sawin^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States.
² Department of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.
³ Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.
⁴ Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.
⁵ Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
⁶ Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeast Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.
⁷ Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States.
⁸ Pediatric Translational Research Unit, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.

Abstract

Background: The consequences of obesity are ominous, yet healthcare professionals are not adequately preventing or treating obesity in youth with Down syndrome (DS). Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) is the energy expended in 24 h through physical activity and life-sustaining physiologic processes. An individual's TDEE is essential for determining the daily caloric intake needed to maintain or change body weight. Successful prevention and treatment of obesity in youth with DS is severely compromised by the lack of data on TDEE and information on weight-related behaviors for this high-risk population. This manuscript describes the protocol for the federally funded study that is in process to determine daily energy expenditure in a large cohort of children with DS.

Methods: This observational cross-sectional study will include a national sample of 230 youth with DS, stratified by age (5-11 and 12-18 years of age) and sex. Doubly Labeled Water analysis will provide the criterion body fat%, fat-free mass, and TDEE. To increase accessibility and decrease the burden on participants, the entire study, including obtaining consent and data collection, is conducted virtually within the participant's home environment on weekdays and weekends. The study team supervises all data collection via a video conferencing platform, e.g., Zoom. This study will (1) examine and determine average TDEE based on age and sex, (2) develop a prediction equation based on measured TDEE to predict energy requirements with a best-fit model based on fat-free mass, sex, age, and height and/or weight, and (3) use 24-hour dietary recalls, a nutrition and physical activity screener, wearable devices, and sleep questionnaire to describe the patterns and quality of dietary intake, sleep, and physical activity status in youth with DS.

Discussion: The lack of accurate information on energy expenditure and weight-related behaviors in youth with DS significantly impedes the successful prevention and treatment of obesity for this vulnerable population. The findings of this study will provide a further understanding of weight-related behaviors as obesity risk factors, currently not well understood for this population. This study will advance the science of weight management in individuals with disabilities and shift clinical practice paradigms.

Keywords: Down syndrome; doubly labeled water (DLW); energy expenditure; nutrition; obesity; physical activity; trisomy 21 (Down syndrome); wearable devices.

Abstract

Grants and funding