Health author Dr Libby Weaver has recalled 20,000 copies of her new dieting book because it included the term ‘mongolism’.
The nutritional biochemist made a heartfelt video apology saying she didn’t know the outdated term was offensive to people with Down syndrome.
Dr Libby said she had no idea it was derogatory and thought it was a current word for the developmental disorder when including it in What Am I Supposed To Eat?
Health author Dr Libby Weaver has recalled 20,000 copies of her new dieting book because it included the term ‘mongolism’
Dr Libby suggested pregnant women eat more folate to reduce the risk of their baby developing ‘congenital abnormalities’ like ‘neural tube defects, spina bifida, deformed limbs and mongolism’
‘It has since been brought to my attention it is a word that is used in a derogatory way and I am very, very sorry to have caused anyone any distress through this error, particularly children with Down Syndrome and their families,’ she said.
‘We have begun the process of recalling the book from sale and arranging a reprint and the word will not appear in any future publications.’
Dr Libby said mongolism was the medical term used in the 1990s when she was a student and she wasn’t aware that was no longer the case.
She promised to never use it again and hoped her public mistake would lead to greater awareness.
The popular author said she was contacted by the mother of a child with Down syndrome and was ‘mortified’ to have distressed anyone.
The nutritional biochemist made a heartfelt video apology saying she didn’t know the outdated term was offensive to people with Down syndrome
In her book, Dr Libby suggested pregnant women eat more folate to reduce the risk of their baby developing ‘congenital abnormalities’ like ‘neural tube defects, spina bifida, deformed limbs and mongolism’.
She listed symptoms of folate deficiency and foods such as green vegetables, eggs, avocados, beans and citrus fruits that were good sources of the vitamin.
Pregnant women are regularly advised to increase their folate intake, but the link between folate deficiency and Down syndrome is less proven.
Anyone who bought What Am I Supposed To Eat? could get a refund or exchange it for the updated version when it was printed.