Abstract was presented at the American Neurological Association annual meeting.
Matthew Plow, Ph.D., Marcia Finlayson, Ph.D., O.T. (C), O.T.R/Lc, Chi Cho, M.S.
cPresent address: School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Louise D. Acton Building, 31 George Street, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6 Canada.
Published Online: August 20, 2012
Disability and Health Journal, October 2012 Volume 5, Issue 4, Pages 284–291
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2012.05.007
Abstract
Background
Adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) have many health problems that can interfere with healthy nutritional behaviors. Self-management activities (e.g., strategies used to manage emotions and functional limitations) may help facilitate engagement in healthy nutritional behaviors. However, few studies have documented such relationships.
Objective
Identify predictors of nutritional behaviors from among a set of variables (i.e., personal characteristics, health status indicators, and self-management activities) linked to the International Classification of Function.
Methods
Data were obtained from an online survey of 292 individuals with MS. Significant bivariate correlates were entered into a logistic regression analysis using backward and forward selection methods to identify predictors of healthy nutritional behaviors (i.e., endorsing 4 out of 5 questions about frequently making good food choices, limiting fat intake, consuming 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, reading food labels, and eating regularly).
Results
Sex, nutritional self-efficacy, optimism/pessimism, body mass index, physical activity, emotional self-management, and communication with physician were used in the logistic analysis. Nutritional self-efficacy (β = 0.69, p < 0.001) was the strongest predictor of nutritional behaviors, followed by physician communication (β = 0.08, p = 0.029) and physical activity (β = 0.01, p = 0.035). Neither impairments nor activity limitations were significantly associated with nutritional behaviors.
Conclusions
This study provides preliminary evidence that self-efficacy and self-management activities are correlates of nutritional behaviors in individuals with MS. Supporting the development of self-management skills and increasing self-efficacy might be methods for improving engagement in healthy nutritional behaviors among adults with MS.