R D Russell1, A Langer-Gould2, E G Gonzales3, J B Smith3, V Brennan1, G Pereira1, R M Lucas4, A Begley1, L J Black5. 1. School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. 2. Neurology Department, Los Angeles Medical Center, Southern California Permanente Medical Group/Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, United States. 3. Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente, Pasadena, United States. 4. National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. 5. School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. Electronic address: lucinda.black@curtin.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Obesity is common in the United States and is associated with a higher risk of relapse and comorbidities, and increased disease progression, in people with MS. METHODS: We examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the MS Sunshine Study, a matched case-control study of multiple sclerosis in Southern California (470 cases, 519 controls). We reported the proportion of participants who adopted a specific diet for nutrition or weight loss purposes, and identified independent predictors of dieting. RESULTS: In the total population, 32% and 37% were overweight and obese, respectively. Case participants were no more likely to adopt a specific diet for nutrition or weight loss purposes than control participants (10% and 11%, respectively). Being obese, younger, female or non-Hispanic were independently associated with dieting. CONCLUSION: Despite the evidence that obesity can worsen MS prognosis, and the high prevalence of overweight/obesity, case participants were no more likely to adopt a specific diet than control participants. Improved nutrition education may help people with MS make healthy dietary changes for nutrition or weight loss purposes.
BACKGROUND:Obesity is common in the United States and is associated with a higher risk of relapse and comorbidities, and increased disease progression, in people with MS. METHODS: We examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the MS Sunshine Study, a matched case-control study of multiple sclerosis in Southern California (470 cases, 519 controls). We reported the proportion of participants who adopted a specific diet for nutrition or weight loss purposes, and identified independent predictors of dieting. RESULTS: In the total population, 32% and 37% were overweight and obese, respectively. Case participants were no more likely to adopt a specific diet for nutrition or weight loss purposes than control participants (10% and 11%, respectively). Being obese, younger, female or non-Hispanic were independently associated with dieting. CONCLUSION: Despite the evidence that obesity can worsen MS prognosis, and the high prevalence of overweight/obesity, case participants were no more likely to adopt a specific diet than control participants. Improved nutrition education may help people with MS make healthy dietary changes for nutrition or weight loss purposes.