Examining dietary habits in the context of multiple sclerosis: A comprehensive investigative approach

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis and related disorders Vol. 83; p. 105467
• Main Authors: Atabilen, Büşra, Akdevelioğlu, Yasemin, Acar Özen, Pınar, Tuncer, Aslı
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Body Mass Index; Diet, Mediterranean; Eating habits; Feeding Behavior; Female; Hand Strength; Humans; Male; Mediterranean diet; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Nutritional Status; Young Adult; Body mass index; Multiple sclerosis; Eating habits; Mediterranean diet; Nutritional status
• ISSN: 2211-0348; 2211-0356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105467

•Body mass index should not be used alone in evaluating nutritional status. Since sarcopenic obesity is also common in these patients, body composition should also be evaluated.•Although the participants' dietary protein intake is sufficient, failure to meet the energy requirement causes proteins to be used for energy rather than anabolism.•The chronic intake of dietary fat and saturated fatty acids on the chronic inflammation is a known fact. In our patient population the intake of these nutrients was found to be above the scientific recommendations.•Increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grain products would contribute to the intake of dietary fiber.•Since the consumption of dairy products is below the recommendations, the percentage of participants meeting the calcium requirement is low. The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to develop suggestions for changing eating habits in a healthy direction. The study was conducted on 171 participants (80.1 % female; 19.9 % male) diagnosed with MS between the ages of 18–60 who applied to Ankara Hacettepe University Hospital Neurology Outpatient Clinic between June 2021 and March 2023. Body weight, height, body composition, waist circumference, upper mid-arm circumference and hand grip strength were measured in accordance with the technique of anthropometric measurements. A three-day food consumption record was taken to evaluate the energy, macro, and micronutrient content of the diet. Mediterranean Diet Assessment Tool was used to assess adherence to diet. Mean age of the participants was recorded as 35.2 ± 10.81 years. According to the body mass index (BMI) classification, 59.9 % of females were in normal limits, while 61.8 % of males were classified as overweight and obese. However, when evaluated in terms of body composition, body fat percentage was found to be above of normal limits in both genders. Also, 70.8 % of participants were sedentary. The percentage of patients who met their daily energy requirements in women with light and moderate activity was higher than in men, but it was not statistically significant. In participants with high activity level, the percentage of patients meeting energy requirements was below 50 % for both genders. Dietary fat and saturated fat intake were higher than the recommendations, while monounsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber intake were less. The percentages of patients meeting their calcium requirement was below 50 % in both genders. Mean intake amounts of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and dairy products were below the Türkiye Nutrition Guideline recommendations. This study shows the nutritional characteristic of patients with MS in detail with different aspects. Although most of the patients were in normal limits in terms of BMI, body fat percentages were found to be above normal limits in both genders. Total fat and saturated fat intakes were found to be high according to scientific recommendations while the intake of food groups required for a fibre-based diet and intake of dairy products were low.