Kevin N. Alschuler, Ph.D., Laura E. Gibbons, Ph.D., Dori E. Rosenberg, Ph.D., M.P.H., Dawn M. Ehde, Ph.D., Aimee M. Verrall, M.P.H., Alyssa M. Bamer, M.P.H., Mark P. Jensen, Ph.D.
Published Online: May 04, 2012
Disability and Health Journal, July 2012 Volume 5, Issue 3, Pages 177–184
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2012.03.007
Abstract
Background
Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are well-understood in the general population, but are not adequately understood among persons with disabilities.
Objective
To describe and compare BMI and WC among individuals with muscular dystrophy (MD), multiple sclerosis (MS), post-polio syndrome (PPS), and spinal cord injury (SCI). BMI scores were also compared to normative data of the U.S. population, with consideration for age, sex, and mobility limitations.
Methods
Persons with MD (n = 339), MS (n = 597), PPS (n = 443), and SCI (n = 488) completed postal surveys that included self-reported BMI and WC data. NHANES data were used to compare the current sample with a representative US sample.
Results
Participants with PPS had higher BMI than participants with MD, MS, and SCI. In addition, participants with MS had significantly higher BMI relative to participants with SCI. BMI was significantly positively associated with age, years since diagnosis, mobility, and interactions of some of these factors. Relative to the general population, BMI was lower in MD, MS, and SCI across age groups, as well as in men with PPS and women ages 60-74 years with PPS. No significant differences were identified between MD, MS, PPS, and SCI in WC.
Conclusions
The presence of group differences in BMI and absence of group differences in WC suggests that BMI may not accurately represent health risk in SCI, MD, and possibly MS, because of biasing elements of the conditions, such as changes in body composition and mobility limitations.