Coroner criticises care after man eats himself to death

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/71222478/Coroner-criticises-care-after-disabled-Hawkes-Bay-man-eats-himself-to-death

A disabled man with an insatiable appetite for food ate himself to death, and his minders have been criticised for their shoddy care.

Paul Douglas Thompson, of Hastings, died on April 8, 2013, after eating a “very large volume of food” at his supported living home, a coroner has found.

It included 24 muesli bars, eight burger buns and four loaves of bread over one night.

Thompson had Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare disorder with symptoms including learning difficulties, abnormal growth, and an insatiable appetite.

Cindy Adams-Vining, who helps run a national support group for sufferers and their families, said she had known Thompson, who was outgoing and sociable.

“It is very, very sad for the whole community.”

People with the syndrome were missing neurological control over their appetites, which became even worse during times of stress.