Looking At Metabolism in Children with Down Syndrome
Research suggests children with Down syndrome have a lowered
Basal Metabolic Rate, which is the rate a person burns calories
for fuel when completely at rest - or sleeping. This means that
children with Down syndrome use less energy when they are
resting or sleeping.
Let's look at an example. If you child is with a "normal" peer
and eats the same amount of food and does the same activities,
he will burn up to 15% fewer calories than his buddy. This means
that his body has calories left over. Even 50 calories extra a
day, a simple apple, will add up to 5 pounds a year. Take that
over 5 years and you have an extra 25 pounds.
There are three ways to adapt for this difference in metabolism:
* Increase activity * Limit calories * Increase activity and
limit calories. Beginning with a focus on physical activity has
many more positives. A person can choose from a variety of
aerobic activities that are enjoyable. Additionally, regular
aerobic activity has many health benefits: increased muscle
tone, decreased resting heart rate, decreased blood pressure, a
sense of well-being , better sleep, and an increase in
metabolism. Ideas for adding aerobic activity: * Park farther
away from where you are going * Take the stairs instead of the
elevator. My son and I are often seen taking the stairs up and
the elevator down -- many times. * Walk or bike to activities
that are in your community. * When you go to the park, play
"tag" for 10 minutes with the kids. Don't catch them, just chase
them around. Parents think of swinging and climbing the play
structure as being active. It's not aerobic activity, except
when running between structures. It is important that the person
with Down syndrome makes the choice of activity and is involved
in setting the goals. The important part is to keep moving and
have fun!