Multifactorial influences on successful health outcomes for an adolescent with Prader-Willi syndrome: a qualitative case study.

PURPOSE: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is the most common syndromic cause of childhood obesity. This qualitative case study aimed to identify and describe lifestyle themes of an adolescent with PWS that resulted in maintenance of a healthy body mass index (BMI). CASE DESCRIPTION: The 16-year-old female demonstrated failure to thrive upon birth and underwent 9 months supplemented tube feeding, achieving 50th percentile weight for height. Throughout childhood she received treatment of physical, occupational, and speech therapies, and has maintained a healthy BMI ranging from 25-50th percentile weight for height. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two video interviews were completed separately. Qualitative analysis of the transcribed data identified two overarching themes for maintaining a healthy BMI in this adolescent: 1) adolescent and parent individual characteristics; and 2) family dynamics and lifestyle. Adolescent and parental characteristics included: high level of cognitive function for diagnosis, mild hyperphagia, desire for a regimented schedule, parental type A personalities, intentionality in parental decisions/actions. Family lifestyle characteristics included strong parental involvement and well-defined expectations for their daughter, purposeful integration of physical activity into lifestyle, and presence of a strong family support system. CONCLUSION: The convergence of multiple optimal influences provided an ideal health outcome in the adolescent.