Understanding the Impact and Management of Body Weight in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe condition that affects males from early childhood. DMD causes muscle wasting, loss of mobility, breathing and sleep problems and excessive weight gain. Boys with DMD also take medication which causes fractures. This thesis shows that up to half of boys with DMD are above a healthy weight which leads to fractures and sleep problems at an even younger age. To address this, a program to manage weight gain was designed collaboratively with families. Families who participated in the program said it was beneficial and feasible, and the boys with DMD achieved weight stabilisation.