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Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Pathway Linking Obesity to Autoimmune Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis
08:17

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Pathway Linking Obesity to Autoimmune Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: February 23, 2024

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Obesity, dieting, and multiple sclerosis

R D Russell1, A Langer-Gould2, E G Gonzales3

  • 1School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
|December 16, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Despite high obesity rates in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, those with MS were no more likely to diet than controls. Improved nutrition education is recommended for MS patients to encourage healthy dietary changes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Public Health
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Obesity is prevalent in the United States, posing risks for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
  • Obesity is linked to increased MS relapse rates, comorbidities, and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in individuals with MS.
  • To compare dieting behaviors between MS patients and controls.
  • To identify predictors of dieting in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A matched case-control study, the MS Sunshine Study, analyzed 470 MS cases and 519 controls in Southern California.
  • Prevalence of overweight and obesity was assessed.
  • Diet adoption for nutrition or weight loss and its predictors were reported.

Main Results:

  • Overall, 32% of participants were overweight and 37% were obese.
  • MS cases and controls showed similar rates of adopting specific diets (10% vs. 11%).
  • Obesity, younger age, female sex, and non-Hispanic ethnicity were associated with dieting.

Conclusions:

  • High rates of overweight/obesity exist in MS patients, yet they do not diet more frequently than controls.
  • Obesity negatively impacts MS prognosis, highlighting a gap in dietary intervention.
  • Enhanced nutrition education may facilitate healthier dietary choices for individuals with MS.
Keywords:
Dietary behaviorDietary changesMS Sunshine StudyMultiple sclerosisNutrition

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