Nutrition and eating beliefs and behaviors among individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders: Healthy or misconceived?
Sherri L LaVela, Justina Wu, Andrea L Nevedal and 7 others
PMID 38358714WHAT IT FOUND
Veterans with chronic spinal cord injuries often restrict calories severely to manage weight or because injury altered their appetite and digestion.
They also face physical barriers to cooking and shopping, leading many to rely on processed foods despite knowing this is unhealthy.
Key findings
01Approximately two-thirds of participants described using extreme fasting or caloric restriction, often due to impaired appetite signals, reduced physical activity, or fear of weight gain.
02Participants reported avoiding healthy foods like fruits and vegetables because of digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and fear of bowel dysfunction related to their injury.
03Physical barriers to independent grocery shopping and cooking, including safety concerns and lack of access, led many participants to rely on processed or pre-packaged foods.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included only veterans receiving care at the Veterans Health Administration, so findings may not apply to civilians or veterans using other healthcare systems. Participants were excluded if they did not speak English, which may bias the sample. The classification of 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' eating was based on the participants' own perceptions, which may not align with clinical guidelines. The study did not quantify actual nutrient intake, so the severity of deficiencies or excesses is unknown.
Declared interests
The study was approved by the Stanford University Institutional Review Board and the Research & Development Committee of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. No specific funding sources or conflicts of interest were explicitly declared in the provided text, though it was conducted within the VA system.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that extreme fasting or avoiding fiber is beneficial. The study reports what patients *believe* and *do*, not what is clinically recommended. Many of these behaviors, such as severe caloric restriction, were linked to negative symptoms like lightheadedness and fatigue.