Health consequences associated with poor diet and nutrition in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders

PurposeTo describe health consequences associated with poor diet in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D).Materials/methodsDescriptive qualitative design using in-depth interviews with SCI/D health providers. Audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim transcripts were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants (n = 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.ConclusionsExcess 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.