Daniel Morson, 14, loves some chicken fingers. Spinach? Not so much.

Sounds like a lot of teenagers, right? But Morson has Down syndrome and his eating habits may provide clues to help other families supporting a Down syndrome adolescent.

"Persons with Down syndrome have the highest obesity rates of any intellectual disability group," said Laura Vogtle, a professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Vogtle has received a $45,000 Health and Fitness for People with Developmental Disabilities grant from the Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities to study ways to improve the physical health of Down syndrome adolescents through diet and exercise.

"A lot of health behaviors result in negative health issues such as osteoporosis," Vogtle said.

Osteoporosis is a special concern because those with Down syndrome often have problems with balance and motor skills so they break their bones more easily, Vogtle said.

Other concerns as Down syndrome individuals age are diabetes, cancer, leukemia and cardiac problems.

Physical differences may be behind the propensity for obesity, Vogtle said.

"The tongue is broader and flatter which is indicative of low muscle tone," Vogtle said. "They may have trouble with chewing and swallowing."

Down syndrome individuals often have strong food preferences that lean toward fried foods or sweets.

Daniel's mother, Jan Morson, said Daniel has a number of favorite foods. None are vegetables.

""He likes chicken fingers, French fries and pizza," she said. "He doesn't like mushy foods -- rice, grits or oatmeal."

Crispy French fries, yes. But mashed potatoes, no.

He does like his morning fruit smoothies, though, and Mom has been known to sneak fresh spinach leaves in to make sure he gets something nutritious, she admitted.

With the grant money, Vogtle will work with colleagues in the School of Health Professions, including registered dietitian Susan Miller, an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition, and Haiyan Qu, a research assistant professor in the Department of Health Services Administration.

She will also partner with Parents Advocates Down Syndrome (PADS) to help identify participants. Vogtle will offer a 16-week program for adolescents with Down syndrome and a concurrent parent focus group to create a program.

"What we hope to do is take time talking with parents in a series of focus groups to find what are the things that work and what are the things that are barriers to creating good eating and exercise habits," Vogtle said.

Updated 4:23 p.m. to correct Jan Morson's first name.