Fifteen-year-old Anna Hankins from Mississippi USA had only one thing on her mind when she decided to compete for Miss Amazing, a pageant for girls with disabilities -- to bring the world attention towards Prader-Willi Syndrome, a condition she has been battling with ever since she was a toddler. The unusual genetic disorder affects one in every 15,000 people and is characterised by chronic overeating and obesity, which leaves sufferers ravenously hungry all the time. Like others who suffer from this condition, Anna too has a voracious appetite, which cannot be controlled or satiated. When she is very hungry, she even rifles through bins in search of food. She now weighs 380 pounds and is categorised as morbidly obese.

(Picture credit: Miss Amazing Mississippi/ Facebook) Anna Hankins with the runners up.

Life isn't easy for the teenager, thanks to all the unwanted stares she invites on account of her condition. Her mother Jennifer Hankins told SWNS that strangers gawk at Anna and kids ask her why she is so fat all the time. But explaining her condition to everyone who enquires about her appetite and weight is difficult, which is why Anna's win at the Miss Amazing pageant is so important. It helped put the spotlight not only on Anna but also on her widely underrepresented medical condition. Here's everything you want to know about the syndrome.

What is Prader-Willie syndrome?

According to the website of Prader-Willie Syndrome Association, a non-profit organisation, " PWS is a complex genetic disorder affecting appetite, growth, metabolism, cognitive function and behaviour." People with Prader-Willie have low muscle tone, short stature, incomplete sexual development, cognitive disabilities, behavioural problems and chronic insatiable hunger and slowed metabolism. This leads sufferers to develop chronic, morbid obesity.

What causes Prader-Willie syndrome?

There is no known cause of Prader-Willie syndrome. It could happen to anyone. However, it is understood that it's a genetic disorder, caused by an anomaly in genes located in the area of chromosome 15. The defect disrupts the normal functions of the hypothalamus, which controls hormones. A faulty hypothalamus causes problems related to sleep, growth, sexual development, body temperature and most importantly, hunger.

What are the physical characteristics of Prader-Willie syndrome?

People with Prader-Willie syndrome have a prominent nasal bridge, small hands, delicate skin that bruises easily, almond-shaped eyes, skin affected by constant picking, thin upper lip, downturned mouth, fat concentration in the midsection of the body, narrow forehead, light skin colour and delayed motor development.

How many people in the world have Prader-Willie syndrome?

It's a rare disorder. According to Prader-Willie Syndrome Association, one in 12,000 to 15,000 people develop the condition. It is known to affect both the genders equally.

Is there a cure for Prader-Willie syndrome?

Unfortunately, there is no real cure for the syndrome. Currently, treatment for Prader-Willie is based on the symptoms, as and when they arise.

Are there cases of Prader-Willie syndrome in India?

In India, three siblings Yogita, Anisha and Harsh from Gujarat are among the world's heaviest children who also happen to suffer from Prader-Willie syndrome. Their father, Rameshbhai Nandwana doesn't have money to treat the children and was reported as planning to sell his kidney for the children's treatment.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 28, 2018 08:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).