Comparison of energy and nutrient intake, dietary diversity score and physical development of William children with healthy children

Objective A comparison of energy nutrients, dietary diversity scores (DDS), and physical development (BMIZ, WZ, HZ) between children with Williams syndrome (WS) and typically developing (TD) children. Methods Children with WS and TD who visited the Child Health Care Department of Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January to September 2023 were collected and divided into three age groups (1–3 years, 3–6 years, and > 6 years). The dietary intake and physical development of children with WS and TD were compared. Results There were statistically significant differences in total energy, protein, and carbohydrate intake, as well as carbohydrate intake percentage and DDS total score among the three groups of WS children (P < 0.05). Compared to age-matched TD children, the 1–3 year-old WS children had a lower DDS total score; the 3–6 year-old WS children had lower BMIZ, WZ, total energy intake, fat intake, carbohydrate intake, and fat intake percentage; and the > 6 year-old WS children had lower fat intake, protein and fat intake percentages, and DDS total score (P < 0.05). Conclusion The findings underscore the necessity of monitoring and improving the nutritional status and eating habits of WS children across different age groups.