Health consequences associated with poor diet and nutrition in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders
Creators: name: LaVela, Sherri L.
name: Farkas, Gary J.
name: Berryman, Kelsey
name: Kale, Ibuola O.
name: Sneij, Alicia
name: Felix, Elizabeth R.
name: Reyes, Lorena
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Cancer
subject: Science Policy
subject: Mental Health

description: To describe health consequences associated with poor diet in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). Descriptive qualitative design using in-depth interviews with SCI/D health providers. Audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim transcripts were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants (<i>n</i> = 12) were from 11 nationwide VA hospitals. Participants were male (75%), white (67%), 26–49 years of age, and most were dietitians (75%) and physiatrists (17%). Seven key themes identified consequences associated with poor diet in persons with SCI/D, including (1) Weight gain and body composition changes, (2) cardiometabolic conditions, (3) bowel dysfunction, (4) pressure injuries/wounds, (5) other SCI/D secondary conditions/complications (renal/kidney; immune function/susceptibility to infections; autonomic dysreflexia; bone health/osteoporosis; pain), (6) physical fatigue, and (7) poor mental health. Excess weight, cardiometabolic conditions, SCI/D secondary conditions/complications (e.g., bowel dysfunction, pressure injuries), and poor mental health were identified as health consequences of inadequate nutrition. Health providers should make individuals with SCI/D aware of the risks and health consequences to incentivize healthier dietary behaviors. Efforts to identify nutrition shortcomings and to develop interventions and tailored care plans are needed to improve a myriad of health consequences due to poor diet and nutrition in persons with SCI/D. Individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) have a heightened risk for chronic conditions and SCI/D secondary complications that are impacted by diet and nutrition.Inadequate nutrition has been documented among individuals with SCI/D.Poor diet/nutrition is a preventable risk factor, which unlike exercise, may be a feasible approach to health improvement that can reach a wide range of individuals with SCI/D.Health providers are well-positioned to bring awareness of risks and health consequences of poor nutrition to individuals with SCI/D in the health care and rehabilitation setting to incentivize positive eating behavior changes. Individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) have a heightened risk for chronic conditions and SCI/D secondary complications that are impacted by diet and nutrition. Inadequate nutrition has been documented among individuals with SCI/D. Poor diet/nutrition is a preventable risk factor, which unlike exercise, may be a feasible approach to health improvement that can reach a wide range of individuals with SCI/D. Health providers are well-positioned to bring awareness of risks and health consequences of poor nutrition to individuals with SCI/D in the health care and rehabilitation setting to incentivize positive eating behavior changes.