Obesity, diet, and physical activity in pediatric multiple sclerosis: patient and caregiver perceptions

To understand the perceptions and opinions regarding weight, dietary intake, physical activity, and screen time in youth living with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). To identify if caregiver perceptions align with those of the patient.

Risk for MS may be impacted by dietary habits and early life obesity, with accumulating evidence that obesity, dietary intake, and physical inactivity may influence disease course. Despite this, the majority of overweight youth with POMS do not perceive that they are overweight.

Youth with POMS and at least one primary caregiver were asked to complete a survey assessing opinions and perceptions of weight, diet, and physical activity levels as it relates to MS.

105 participants completed the survey (53 youth with POMS and 52 caregivers). Two-thirds of POMS participants identify as overweight, while only 36% of caregivers consider their child with POMS overweight. Main obstacles to weight loss include depression/anxiety (30%), difficulty with willpower (30%), financial constraints (25%), and fatigue (25%). Though 88% of patients report purposeful exercise at least 1-2 times per week, the majority (61%) are not as physically active as they would like to be. A small subset of POMS participants (23%) and their caregivers (35%) consider MS to contribute to lower levels of physical activity.

Youth with POMS are more likely to identify themselves as overweight compared to caregivers. Major obstacles to attaining a healthy weight include concurrent mood symptoms, lack of motivation, financial constraints, and fatigue. The majority of youth and caregivers do not identify MS as an impediment to being physically active.