Correlates of Inaccuracy in Reporting of Energy Intake Among Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are interested in diet as a second-line approach for disease management. This study examined potential variables that correlate with inaccuracy of self-reported energy intake (EI) in adults with MS.

Twenty-eight participants completed two assessment appointments within a 14-day period that included a standard doubly labeled water (DLW) protocol for estimating total energy expenditure (TEE). The participants reported their EI using the Automated Self-Administered 24 h (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool. The primary variables of interest for explaining the discrepancy between TEE and ASA24 EI (i.e., inaccuracy) included cognition (processing speed, visuospatial memory, and verbal memory), hydration status (total body water), and device-measured physical activity. Pearson's correlations assessed the association between absolute and percent inaccuracy in reporting of EI with outcomes of interest, followed by linear regression analyses for identifying independent correlates.

California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition (CVLT-II) z-scores and light physical activity (LPA) were significantly associated with mean absolute difference in EI (r = -0.53 and r = 0.46, respectively). CVLT-II z-scores and LPA were the only variables significantly associated with mean percent difference in EI (r = -0.48 and r = 0.42, respectively). The regression analyses indicated that both CVLT-II and LPA significantly explained variance in mean absolute difference in EI, and only CVLT-II explained variance for percent difference in EI.

The results from this study indicate that verbal learning and memory and LPA are associated with inaccuracy of self-reported EI in adults with MS. This may guide timely research identifying appropriate protocols for assessment of diet in MS.