Characterizing Dietary Intake and Physical Activity Affecting Weight Gain in Kidney Transplant Recipients

• Published in: Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 62 - 70
• Main Authors: Cupples, Connie K., Cashion, Ann K., Cowan, Patricia A., Tutor, Ruth S., Wicks, Mona N., Williams, Ruth, Eason, James D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2012; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Diet; Exercise; Female; Humans; Kidney Diseases - complications; Kidney Diseases - psychology; Kidney Diseases - surgery; Kidney Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Nursing; Risk Factors; Weight Gain; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1526-9248; 2164-6708
• DOI: 10.7182/pit2012888

Context— Weight gain after kidney transplantation affects 50% to 90% of kidney transplant recipients. Factors leading to weight gain in recipients are thought to include a change in lifestyle (eg, dietary intake and physical activity), age, race, sex, and immunosuppressant medications. Objective— To examine dietary intake and physical activity of kidney transplant recipients at baseline and 3 and 6 months after transplantation to identify contributing factors to weight gain. Design— Descriptive, correlational study using secondary data from a larger parent study examining genetic and environmental contributors to weight gain after kidney transplantation. Participants and Setting— Forty-four kidney transplant recipients at a mid-South university hospital-based transplant institute who had dietary intake, physical activity, and clinical data at baseline and 3 and 6 months were included. Main Outcome Measures— Dietary intake, physical activity, weight, and body mass index. Results— Mean weight gain increased by 6% from baseline to 6 months. Interestingly, dietary intake did not change significantly from baseline to 6 months. Hours of sleep per day decreased during the same period (P = .02). Dietary intake, physical activity, age, race, sex, and immunosuppression showed no significant relationship to weight gain at 6 months. Conclusion— Little consideration has been given to dietary intake and physical activity of kidney transplant recipients and the effects of these variables on weight gain. Further studies with a larger sample are needed, as weight gain after transplantation is a significant risk factor for diminished long-term outcomes.