Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

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

LaVela SL, Farkas GJ, Berryman K, Kale IO, Sneij A, Felix ER, Reyes L. Health consequences associated with poor diet and nutrition in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Disability and rehabilitation. 2024 Sep 17; 1-12.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

PURPOSE: To describe health consequences associated with poor diet in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). MATERIALS/METHODS: 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. RESULTS: Participants (? = 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.