The Connection Between Socioeconomic Factors and Dietary Habits of Children with Down Syndrome in Croatia
Children with Down syndrome often face significant feeding difficulties and health comorbidities that may contribute to undernutrition or obesity. This study assessed dietary habits and nutritional status among 104 children with Down syndrome in Croatia, representing 11.5% of this population. Result...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Maja Ergović Ravančić Valentina Obradović Jadranka Vraneković |
| author_facet | Maja Ergović Ravančić Valentina Obradović Jadranka Vraneković |
| author_sort | Maja Ergović Ravančić |
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| description | Children with Down syndrome often face significant feeding difficulties and health comorbidities that may contribute to undernutrition or obesity. This study assessed dietary habits and nutritional status among 104 children with Down syndrome in Croatia, representing 11.5% of this population. Results showed that over 30% of children aged 1 to 15 were overweight. Over 60% never consumed whole grain bread, while more than 50% avoided fish, nuts, or seeds. Despite rural families more frequently producing their own food (meat <i>p</i> = 0.009; fruits/vegetables <i>p</i> = 0.035), no significant improvement was observed in the children’s diets compared to their urban counterparts. Urban children consumed milk (<i>p</i> = 0.008) and fermented dairy (<i>p</i> = 0.005) more often. Children of university-educated mothers had higher vegetable (<i>p</i> = 0.031), meat (<i>p</i> = 0.025), olive oil (<i>p</i> = 0.003), and nut (<i>p</i> = 0.029) consumption, and a lower intake of processed meats (<i>p</i> = 0.008) and salty snacks (<i>p</i> = 0.040). Families spending less than 50% of income on food also showed significantly healthier dietary patterns. Feeding difficulties in children with Down syndrome are commonly associated with sensory sensitivities, oral-motor impairments, and comorbid medical conditions. These challenges are often intensified by parental anxiety, delayed introduction of diverse foods, and inadequate professional support. Collectively, these factors contribute to selective eating, poor nutrient intake, and disordered eating behaviors. This study underscores the need for individualized nutritional interventions that address the unique physiological and sensory requirements of both children and adults with Down syndrome. Effective strategies should extend beyond general dietary recommendations to include early exposure to a variety of food textures, specialized feeding support, and the management of coexisting health conditions. Family education and engagement play a crucial role in achieving positive nutritional outcomes. Empowering parents and caregivers—especially those in socioeconomically disadvantaged or rural communities—can facilitate the alignment of food accessibility with healthy dietary practices. The findings of this research offer valuable guidance for the development and implementation of national strategies aimed at enhancing the nutrition and long-term health of individuals with Down syndrome. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1e47a4b9ebfa4818a95a9d6e793a265c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-1e47a4b9ebfa4818a95a9d6e793a265c2025-08-20T03:46:38ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-05-011411191010.3390/foods14111910The Connection Between Socioeconomic Factors and Dietary Habits of Children with Down Syndrome in CroatiaMaja Ergović Ravančić0Valentina Obradović1Jadranka Vraneković2Faculty of Tourism and Rural Development in Požega, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vukovarska 17, 34000 Požega, CroatiaFaculty of Tourism and Rural Development in Požega, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vukovarska 17, 34000 Požega, CroatiaFaculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, CroatiaChildren with Down syndrome often face significant feeding difficulties and health comorbidities that may contribute to undernutrition or obesity. This study assessed dietary habits and nutritional status among 104 children with Down syndrome in Croatia, representing 11.5% of this population. Results showed that over 30% of children aged 1 to 15 were overweight. Over 60% never consumed whole grain bread, while more than 50% avoided fish, nuts, or seeds. Despite rural families more frequently producing their own food (meat <i>p</i> = 0.009; fruits/vegetables <i>p</i> = 0.035), no significant improvement was observed in the children’s diets compared to their urban counterparts. Urban children consumed milk (<i>p</i> = 0.008) and fermented dairy (<i>p</i> = 0.005) more often. Children of university-educated mothers had higher vegetable (<i>p</i> = 0.031), meat (<i>p</i> = 0.025), olive oil (<i>p</i> = 0.003), and nut (<i>p</i> = 0.029) consumption, and a lower intake of processed meats (<i>p</i> = 0.008) and salty snacks (<i>p</i> = 0.040). Families spending less than 50% of income on food also showed significantly healthier dietary patterns. Feeding difficulties in children with Down syndrome are commonly associated with sensory sensitivities, oral-motor impairments, and comorbid medical conditions. These challenges are often intensified by parental anxiety, delayed introduction of diverse foods, and inadequate professional support. Collectively, these factors contribute to selective eating, poor nutrient intake, and disordered eating behaviors. This study underscores the need for individualized nutritional interventions that address the unique physiological and sensory requirements of both children and adults with Down syndrome. Effective strategies should extend beyond general dietary recommendations to include early exposure to a variety of food textures, specialized feeding support, and the management of coexisting health conditions. Family education and engagement play a crucial role in achieving positive nutritional outcomes. Empowering parents and caregivers—especially those in socioeconomically disadvantaged or rural communities—can facilitate the alignment of food accessibility with healthy dietary practices. The findings of this research offer valuable guidance for the development and implementation of national strategies aimed at enhancing the nutrition and long-term health of individuals with Down syndrome.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1910Down syndromedietsocioeconomic factorsnutritionchildren |
| spellingShingle | Maja Ergović Ravančić Valentina Obradović Jadranka Vraneković The Connection Between Socioeconomic Factors and Dietary Habits of Children with Down Syndrome in Croatia Foods Down syndrome diet socioeconomic factors nutrition children |
| title | The Connection Between Socioeconomic Factors and Dietary Habits of Children with Down Syndrome in Croatia |
| title_full | The Connection Between Socioeconomic Factors and Dietary Habits of Children with Down Syndrome in Croatia |
| title_fullStr | The Connection Between Socioeconomic Factors and Dietary Habits of Children with Down Syndrome in Croatia |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Connection Between Socioeconomic Factors and Dietary Habits of Children with Down Syndrome in Croatia |
| title_short | The Connection Between Socioeconomic Factors and Dietary Habits of Children with Down Syndrome in Croatia |
| title_sort | connection between socioeconomic factors and dietary habits of children with down syndrome in croatia |
| topic | Down syndrome diet socioeconomic factors nutrition children |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1910 |
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