The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook: A Guide to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (Topics in Down Syndrome) [Paperback]

Joan E. Guthrie Medlen (Author), Timothy P. Shriver (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Topics in Down Syndrome | Publication Date: October 2002

Many parents of children with Down syndrome would like to help their child to improve nutrition and manage weight, but don't know where to begin. Now, this much-needed book looks at all aspects of nutrition and healthy living for children with Down syndrome, from birth through to young adulthood. The author, a mother of a child with Down syndrome and a registered dietician, encourages parents to start teaching healthy habits early but stresses that it's never too late to start, no matter what age. Chapters cover: Breast and bottle feeding; Basic nutrition and physiology; Celiac disease; Diabetes; Alternative therapies; Food and school; Weight management; Fitness and exercise; Cooking and menu planning; Education activities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is a very useful resource for parents, teachers, and dietitians who work with people with Down syndrome." -- Nutrition & Dietetics, Journal of Dietitians Association of Australia, 2003

"This book will be a resource to families for many years and should be in all professional libraries." -- Down Syndrome News and Update, Volume 2, Issue 4, 2002-2003

About the Author

Joan E Guthrie Medlen RD LD

Product Details

• Paperback: 430 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 1st edition (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890627232
• ISBN-13: 978-1890627232
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,120,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource!, October 30, 2003

By 

K. Omori (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook: A Guide to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (Topics in Down Syndrome) (Paperback)

I have read several books on Down Syndrome, and this is one of the best. It has so much information, and is easy to read. The easy to use 'tools' offered in this book are great. Suggestions in this book will be helpful throughout a lifetime. While my child is in his late teens, it is still helpful for us, in preparing for his adult life. I also enjoyed reading about the younger children, and thinking 'I remember that, and I wished I had this book then'. I would recommend this book to parents, educators, and any other professionals also.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geat Book, January 13, 2007

By 

J. Moist "homeschool mom" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook: A Guide to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (Topics in Down Syndrome) (Paperback)

Don't let the long (boring) name fool you, it is a GREAT book! As our daughter is getting older (she is 16,) she is taking control of her diet. I can't be with her all the time, so I have to teach her to eat healthy. This might sound simple, but it isn't. Well meaning relatives offer her foods she shouldn't eat, and others don't know that she has some 'nutritional issues,' like Celiac Disease. Our daughter has to know what she can and can't eat, as well as portion control. The DSNH not only has information for me as a parent, but it has worksheets and teaching activities for our daughter to help her learn healthy eating habits and good fitness activities. Did I say that it is a GREAT book? We copy off the worksheets and post them on the fridge, so our daughter can track what she eats during the day to make sure that she has 'hit' at the necessary food groups and water intake goals. She even has her fitness goals for the week.

The book covers nutritional information and needs from birth through adulthood. Section three is the one that we are working on right now: Teaching Healthy Choices to Encourage Healthy Lifestyles. It has everything from menu planning, to cooking and fitness. It's full of readable and understandable information for me and hands on learning for our daughter. That is a great combination if you ask me!

Our daughter will be the one in control of her own cooking, fitness activities and health in a few years. This book will help me help her to make a smoother transition to become a more independent and healthy adult with Down Syndrome.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook, November 7, 2003

By 

Joan Guthrie Medlen "Editor, Disability Solut... (OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook: A Guide to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (Topics in Down Syndrome) (Paperback)

Posted for, Brian Chicoine, MD of the Adult Down Syndrome Center

The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook is an outstanding resource for people with Down syndrome throughout their life span. It contains excellent information and practical suggestions for people with Down syndrome and their families. A wide variety of topics are addressed from general nutrition to nutritional intervention for diabetes mellitus, celiac disease and other health issues.

The book is well written, person-centered, and health-centered. It is beneficial when read cover-to-cover as well as when saved for use as a reference book. In addition to the writing style, the pictures make it a valuable education tool for people with a wide variety of reading abilities.

I highly recommend this book for people with Down syndrome, their families and anyone who wants to help them with their nutritional goals.