The Rao family in Maryland knew that something was different about their younger daughter, Ayoni, almost as soon as she was born. But it took them until she was five to get a diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes extreme, insatiable hunger. Food needs to be locked away from many of these patients, or they might eat until their stomachs actually rupture. Dan visits the Raos at their home to learn more about how they manage Ayoni’s condition, then cooks and eats dinner with the family. Dan also talks with Zayd Anwarzai, a 25-year-old with PWS, about what it’s like when he knows he’s eaten enough, but his stomach tells him otherwise. And Dan speaks with Dr. Jennifer Miller, the leading PWS expert in the country.

Check out Colors of Hope, the organization that Dini Rao founded to help families of color who are living with PWS.

The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Kameel Stanley, Jared O'Connell, and Glydel Go.

Interstitial music in this episode by Black Label Music:

• "Galilei Counterpoint" by Paul Fonfara
• "Nice Kitty" by Kenneth J. Brahmstedt
• "Midnight Grind" by Cullen Fitzpatrick
• "Brain Wreck" by Bijou Basil
• "Kellyanne" by Paul Fonfara
• "Secret Handshake" by Hayley Briasco
• "Mouse Song Light" by Kenneth J. Brahmstedt
• "Homefront" by Jack Ventimiglia

Photo courtesy of Dan Pashman.

Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.