Claudia H Marck1, Yasmine Probst2,3, Jing Chen4, Bruce Taylor4, Ingrid van der Mei4. 1. Disability and Health Unit, The Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia. claudia.marck@unimelb.edu.au. 2. School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. 3. Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. 4. Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Associations between patterns of food intake and health in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are of increasing global interest; however, Australian data are lacking. This study aimed to assess the dietary habits and associations with health outcomes of Australians with MS. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: This cross-sectional study used 2016 survey data from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study, including the Dietary Habits Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Assessment of Quality of Life, Fatigue Severity Scale, Patient-Determined Disease Steps Scale and 13 MS symptoms scales. Regression models were constructed using directed acyclic graphs. RESULTS: Almost all (94.3%) of the 1490 participants reported making an effort to eating healthy with 21.2% following one or more specific diets, although often not strictly. Overall, 7.9% reported not eating meat, 8.1% reported not consuming dairy, and 4.0% consumed neither food group. A healthier diet score was associated with better mental, physical and total quality of life, and lower depression, and pain scores, and fewer cognition, vision and bowel symptoms. Higher reported fibre, fruit, vegetable and healthy fat scores were positively associated with most health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Healthier overall diet scores and higher fibre, fruit and vegetable scores were associated with better health outcomes in this sample of Australians adults with MS. However, the proportion of participants avoiding dairy and meat, or adhering to a specific MS diet was much lower than previously reported. Prospective dietary studies are needed to further understand whether dietary change is feasible and affects health outcomes over time.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Associations between patterns of food intake and health in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are of increasing global interest; however, Australian data are lacking. This study aimed to assess the dietary habits and associations with health outcomes of Australians with MS. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: This cross-sectional study used 2016 survey data from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study, including the Dietary Habits Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Assessment of Quality of Life, Fatigue Severity Scale, Patient-Determined Disease Steps Scale and 13 MS symptoms scales. Regression models were constructed using directed acyclic graphs. RESULTS: Almost all (94.3%) of the 1490 participants reported making an effort to eating healthy with 21.2% following one or more specific diets, although often not strictly. Overall, 7.9% reported not eating meat, 8.1% reported not consuming dairy, and 4.0% consumed neither food group. A healthier diet score was associated with better mental, physical and total quality of life, and lower depression, and pain scores, and fewer cognition, vision and bowel symptoms. Higher reported fibre, fruit, vegetable and healthy fat scores were positively associated with most health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Healthier overall diet scores and higher fibre, fruit and vegetable scores were associated with better health outcomes in this sample of Australians adults with MS. However, the proportion of participants avoiding dairy and meat, or adhering to a specific MS diet was much lower than previously reported. Prospective dietary studies are needed to further understand whether dietary change is feasible and affects health outcomes over time.
Authors: Prudence Tettey; Steve Simpson; Bruce Taylor; Anne-Louise Ponsonby; Robyn M Lucas; Terence Dwyer; Karam Kostner; Ingrid Af van der Mei Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2017-03-20 Impact factor: 10.154
Authors: Bruce V Taylor; Andrew Palmer; Steve Simpson; Robyn Lucas; Rex D Simmons; Deborah Mason; John Pearson; Glynnis Clarke; Clive Sabel; Ernie Willoughby; Anne Richardson; David Abernethy Journal: Mult Scler Date: 2013-03-25 Impact factor: 6.312
Authors: Emily J Hadgkiss; George A Jelinek; Tracey J Weiland; Naresh G Pereira; Claudia H Marck; Dania M van der Meer Journal: Nutr Neurosci Date: 2014-03-17 Impact factor: 4.994