Obesity, dieting, and multiple sclerosis

R.D Russell,A Langer-Gould,E.G Gonzales,J.B Smith,V Brennan,G Pereira,R.M Lucas,A Begley,L.J Black

doi:10.1016/j.msard.2019.101889

Abstract

BackgroundObesity 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. MethodsWe 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. ResultsIn 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. ConclusionDespite 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.

Highlights

In the United States (US), 40% of adults are obese, a trend that is increasing (Hales et al, 2017)
Using data from the MS Sunshine Study, a multi-ethnic matched case-control study in Southern California examining risk factors for MS (Langer-Gould et al, 2018), we aimed to describe the number and proportion of people with MS (pwMS) adopting specific diets after MS symptom onset, and to identify predictors of adopting a specific diet
Participants of the 2011–2015 MS Sunshine Study were recruited from the Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) database of >4 million members; detailed methods are described elsewhere (LangerGould et al, 2018)

Summary

Introduction

In the United States (US), 40% of adults are obese, a trend that is increasing (Hales et al, 2017). Using data from the MS Sunshine Study, a multi-ethnic matched case-control study in Southern California examining risk factors for MS (Langer-Gould et al, 2018), we aimed to describe the number and proportion of pwMS adopting specific diets after MS symptom onset, and to identify predictors of adopting a specific diet. 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. We reported the proportion of participants who adopted a specific diet for nutrition or weight loss purposes, and identified independent predictors of dieting. Case participants were no more likely to adopt a specific diet for nutrition or weight loss purposes than control participants (10% and 11%, respectively). Improved nutrition education may help people with MS make healthy dietary changes for nutrition or weight loss purposes

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Discussion

Conclusion