Rare genetic condition leaves them constantly hungry, no matter how much they eat
SINGAPORE - Growing teens have voracious appetites, but Teo Zi Yee, 17, and David Lucas Soo, 13, feel starved constantly and cannot be left unattended with food.
They have Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) - a rare neurodevelopmental and genetic condition where the «switch» in the brain that signals fullness never gets flipped on. PWS occurs when part of the genetic material inherited from the father is missing or does not function.
The inability to feel full, causing uncontrollable hunger and overeating, is a hallmark of the syndrome.
Eating often and in large portions leads to quick weight gain, and that leads to morbid obesity, said Associate Professor Angeline Lai, a senior consultant with the Genetics Service at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH).
Complications associated with morbid obesity include obstructive sleep apnoea, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
«The severity of obesity depends partly on how strictly their food intake is controlled. Often, parents have to lock the kitchen or the pantry cupboard to prevent their children with PWS from excessive eating,» Prof Lai said.