Funding outcome

Individuals with a genetic condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) are at risk to develop obesity as early as 2 years of age. PWS children often have a very high food intake because they experience a constant feeling of hunger. However, even PWS children who limit their food intake can still gain excessive amounts of weight. Attempts to control weight in PWS through dietary interventions have had limited success. The human gut contains bacteria that play an important role in food digestion. When the stomach and small intestine are unable to digest certain foods, gut microbes ensure the remaining nutrients are digested. Changes in these gut microbes may lead to obesity, but the specific role of gut microbes in weight control in PWS and childhood obesity is not yet fully understood. In this study, we will study the gut microbial composition of infants and children with PWS and without PWS (controls). We will give PWS participants a specific amount of fiber to add to their diets for 3 weeks and investigate if the added fiber changes their gut microbes. We will also study if the increased fiber intake changes blood hormone levels which control hunger and thus, lessen the PWS participants' feelings of hunger.