Down Syndrome
Conditions
Keywords
Health Education, Nutritional Status, Anthropometry
Brief summary
This single-arm, quasi-experimental pre-post study evaluated an 8-week online nutrition education program for individuals with Down syndrome and their caregivers in Ataşehir, Istanbul, Türkiye. Thirty-one individuals with Down syndrome and 31 caregivers (n=62) completed the program. Dietary behaviors, 3-day dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and caregiver nutrition literacy were assessed before and after the intervention.
Detailed description
Participants were recruited through the Turkey Down Syndrome Association (Ataşehir, Istanbul). Eligible participants were individuals with Down syndrome who could express preferences and caregivers with sufficient digital skills to complete online procedures. Although 39 individuals initially agreed to participate, the study was completed with 31 individuals with Down syndrome and their caregivers (n=62) after exclusions for eligibility and continuity. Data were collected using a Down Syndrome Individual Information Form, the Nutrition Behavior Scale, a 3-day dietary intake record (including one weekend day; analyzed in BeBİS), a Caregiver Information Form, the Adult Nutrition Literacy Assessment Tool, and Down syndrome-specific growth charts (Zemel et al., 2015; 2-20 years). The intervention consisted of an 8-week basic nutrition education program delivered via live video conferencing. Individuals with Down syndrome received weekly sessions of approximately 15 minutes focusing on food groups, healthy eating principles, reducing sugary/packaged foods, increasing daily physical activity, and adequate water intake. Caregivers received four modules of approximately 30 minutes covering healthy eating principles, food groups, physical activity, common comorbidities and metabolic changes in Down syndrome, and key considerations in nutrition therapy. Illustrated and graphical slide materials were shared during sessions and sent to caregivers afterward via online messaging.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALCaregiver-Involved Nutrition Education
An 8-week online nutrition education program delivered via live video conferencing with slide-based materials shared during sessions and sent afterward to caregivers.
Sponsors
Hülya YILMAZ ÖNAL
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Single-arm pre-post design (one group assessed before and after an 8-week online nutrition education program)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 66 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Volunteered to participate and provided informed consent (caregiver/parent consent). Individuals with Down syndrome who were able to express their preferences. Caregivers/parents with sufficient digital knowledge and skills to participate in online procedures and training sessions.
Exclusion criteria
* Individuals with Down syndrome and/or caregivers/parents who did not have sufficient digital knowledge and skills to participate in online procedures. Individuals with Down syndrome and/or caregivers/parents who did not maintain continuity in the study (e.g., did not complete the intervention and/or pre-/post-assessments).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary behavior (Nutrition Behavior Scale score) | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 8-week education program. | Change in dietary behavior score measured using the Nutrition Behavior Scale (total score range -14 to +14; converted to a 0-100% healthy consumption score). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BMI | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 8-week education program. | Change in body weight and BMI |
| Dietary intake from 3-day diet records (energy and selected nutrients) | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 8-week education program. | Change in daily energy and nutrient intakes derived from 3-day dietary intake records (including one weekend day) and analyzed using the BeBİS nutrition analysis software (e.g., energy, protein, dietary fiber, selected vitamins/minerals, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids). |
| Anthropometric measurements | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 8-week education program. | Change in anthropometric measurements (e.g., age-appropriate interpretation using Down syndrome-specific growth charts where applicable). |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed