Perceptions of body image by persons with Prader-Willi syndrome and their parents.

The team gave a simple picture test to people with Prader-Willi syndrome and to their parents.

Each person picked the body size that looked most like them and the size they wanted to be.

The survey asked how they felt about their shape; no extra teaching or diet plan was tried.

Both the adults with PWS and their parents chose figures that showed they did not like their bodies.

They picked heavier shapes for "real me" and thinner shapes for "wish I looked like this."

The gap between the two pictures showed clear body-image distress.

Dudley et al. (2008) already showed that French adults with PWS carry more extra weight than peers in the UK or US.

The new study adds the inside view: the extra weight is paired with real unhappiness about shape.

Golubović et al. (2013) found that teens with intellectual disability and their parents often disagree on quality-of-life scores.

Here, parents and their kids with PWS agreed closely on body dissatisfaction, so this topic may unite rather than divide families.

When you write a behavior plan for weight control in PWS, add a body-image goal.

Teach self-acceptance skills, praise small losses, and check mood each visit.

A five-minute figure rating at intake gives you a baseline you can share with parents and track over time.