Living with Down Syndrome - How can a dietitian help improve your health?
Down Syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs from birth. People with down syndrome are born with 1 extra chromosome, this impacts on intellectual development, some physical characteristics and other aspects of a person's health.
There are some common health issues and medical conditions that are more likely to occur in people with Down Syndrome. If you have a family member living with Down Syndrome it is important to have a supportive team of health professionals to guide you through regular health screening and developing healthy lifestyle behaviors and routines. Living a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise and eating a balanced diet is key to improving one's health and prevent risk of common health problems.
What are some common health issues?
Studies have shown the following health issues are more common in people with Down Syndrome compared to the general population:
Thyroid disorders: (in particular underactive thyroid or ‘hypothyroidism’). Rapid weight gain can be a sign your thyroid is out of balance - make sure to check in with a medical professional if you notice sudden weight changes.
Coeliac disease: the only treatment for coeliac disease is a strict life long gluten free diet. Gluten intake in Coeliac disease damages the lining of the bowel and leads to a range of health complications including increased risk of bowel cancer. Regular screening with your medical professional is essential, especially if you experience digestive symptoms (e.g. constipation, diarrhea, changing bowel movements, stomach pains, frequent bloating). Support from a dietitian is essential on diagnosis of Coeliac Disease.
Diabetes: regular screening tests with a GP can help to monitor blood sugar levels and risk of diabetes. A healthy diet and exercise is important to help prevent and control diabetes to reduce risk of complications.
Constipation: low muscle tone in Down Syndrome can lead to slower digestion and greater likelihood of constipation. Dietary strategies can help promote regular bowel movements and manage uncomfortable digestive symptoms. Regular movement is important too!
Early menopause: menopause is often experienced earlier in life at an average age of 44 years. Diet and lifestyle can play a key role in helping manage some menopause symptoms.
Osteoporosis: lower muscle tone, low levels of physical activity and experiencing earlier menopause (in females) can impact on bone strength and may increase the risk of osteoporosis & fractures. Nutrition and physical activity are important for optimising your bone health.
What are some common nutrition issues?
The above health risks and some physical characteristics of Down Syndrome can lead to a range of unique nutrition needs and nutrition problems throughout an individual's lifetime, for example:
- Feeding difficulties and delayed growth in childhood
- Digestive problems such as constipation, reflux, IBS
- Food sensitivities and intolerances
- Fussy eating, food aversions and sensitivities to food textures
- Troubles regulating appetite and portion control
- Learning difficulties impacting on awareness & understanding of healthy food choices
- Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and high blood pressure
- Coeliac disease requiring a gluten free diet
- Low muscle tone can impact on total energy (calorie) requirements and weight management
- Overweight and obesity
How can a dietitian help?
Diet and lifestyle play a key role in managing many of these common health issues that people with down syndrome may face throughout their lifetime. A dietitian can provide personalised dietary advice for your unique circumstances. At Rebound Health our dietitians are passionate about working with clients to improve their health, wellbeing and independence with daily activities by:
- Educating clients, families and support workers on healthy eating
- Assisting clients with meal planning and forming grocery lists
- Practical skills like reading food labels and modifying recipes
- One-on-one cooking sessions to increase independence with healthy eating
- Modifying dietary intake for managing specific health conditions (e.g. diabetes, high cholesterol)
- Understanding food sensitivities and modifying diet for food intolerances
At Rebound Health our dietitians provide a range of services including:
- Comprehensive nutrition assessments
- In clinic face to face consultations
- Telehealth consultations
- Home visits
- One-on-one cooking sessions in clients home environment
- Individualised meal planning
Navigating the NDIS - for participants, families and support teams
Participants can include health-related goals in their NDIS plan and get the appropriate dietary supports to help them be healthy. Goals such as learning to eat a healthy diet, or losing weight can be included in a broader goal about becoming or staying healthy and fit. NDIS can fund ‘individual advice to a participant on managing diet for health and wellbeing due to the impact of their disability’. This includes one-on-one consultations with a dietitian and developing a diet plan.
NDIS can also fund group sessions with a dietitian.
Allied health services such as exercise physiology, dietetics and physiotherapy are funded under the ‘Improved Health and Wellbeing’ and/or ‘Improved Daily Living’ categories of your NDIS Capacity Building Supports budget.
You can get in contact with our admin team to understand if our dietitians are the right fit for you -
by phone (02) 9907 6023 or email reception@reboundhealth.com.au