Identifying Barriers of Arthritis-Related Disability on Food Behaviors to Guide Nutrition Interventions

To describe the impact of arthritis-related disability on aspects of food insecurity and to gain insight into the incentives and barriers to participating in a nutrition intervention.

Four focus groups were held in April to May, 2018. Participants completed questionnaires about socioeconomic status, diet, and health.

The Perform Centre, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.

A convenience sample of 27 adults diagnosed with arthritis.

Perceived impact of arthritis-related disability on food behaviors as well as incentives and deterrents to participating in a nutrition intervention.

Transcriptions of the focus group discussions were coded using the constant comparative method. Basic descriptive statistics were used to analyze the questionnaire data.

The themes of pain, fatigue, knowledge, and social support emerged in discussions on food choices, procurement, preparation, consumption, and other lifestyle behaviors. Participants reported common barriers, although the extent to which they were affected varied. Questionnaire results revealed low disability. Timing, cost, and information quality were important incentives to participate in a nutrition intervention.

Results highlight the need for further research among people with greater limitations related to arthritis and adapted nutrition interventions that provide both knowledge and experience to help individuals overcome the challenges of arthritis.