Prader Willi Syndrome in Pediatric Patients: Nutritional Education to Prevent Obesity

Abstract

Prader Willi syndrome is the most common cause of syndromic obesity. Obesity and its complications are the major causes of morbidity and mortality. It is crucial to prevent the onset of obesity since, once it has arisen, it is difficult to maintain the control of food intake. Unfortunately, preventing obesity in PWS patients still remains a difficult goal to achieve and requires constant supervision of the caregivers through behavioral interventions implemented from the earliest stages of life, when the PWS patient has not yet expressed compulsive eating-related traits. Aim of this paper is to focus on the different experiences and recommendations on dietary approach in literature, including that of our Center. Early diagnosis and nutritional treatment, an accurate follow-up, but also the social background, are important elements in the patient future management.