Diet and Environmental Illness: Barriers Encountered by Women Sufferers

Environmental illness is characterized by an ill-defined constellation of signs and symptoms of unknown etiology. It is assumed that exposure to low dose irritants in the environment initiates a chronic and relapsing disorder in susceptible individuals. Although diet is central in the treatment of environmental illness, there is little research to describe how those living with environmental illness view diet and the barriers they encounter. The objective of this work was to look at the perceptions of food and nutrition in a small group of women with a confirmed diagnosis of environmental illness so as to identify common barriers to meeting food needs and to suggest roles for dietitians/nutritionists in assisting those with environmental illness. Eight subjects recruited from a government sponsored Environmental Illness Clinic participated in focus group discussions. Following each session, transcripts were coded and used to generate categories and crosslinks. The most significant barrier encountered by all subjects was the financial cost, be it for treatment, purchasing special foods and nutrient supplements, or misdiagnosis. The next most important variable was time required to complete activities of daily living. Although all participants followed a special diet, this alone was not perceived to be an intrusion. All subjects commented on the social isolation and the way the diagnosis of environmental illness had altered all aspects of their life. Participants identified education and advocacy as the most important areas where dietitians/nutritionists could make a contribution to the health and well-being of this nutritionally vulnerable group.