Diet Quality and Weight Loss Strategies Among Those With and Without Self-Reported Visual Impairments in a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Adults Aged 20–59 Years

Background There are higher rates of obesity among adults with visual impairments compared to adults without visual impairments. Research is needed on the best strategies to address this health problem and facilitate weight loss among adults with visual impairments. Methods This study examined diet quality and weight loss strategies among participants aged 20 to 59 years with and without self-reported visual impairments. Analyses used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2013 to 2018 incorporating the complex multistage sampling design. Diet quality was assessed using the Health Eating Index, based on a 24hr dietary recall. Weight loss strategies were self-reported. Between group comparisons used chi-square and independent sample t-tests. Results The sample included 8,975 adults without visual impairments and 425 adults with visual impairments. When comparing these groups, adults with visual impairments had higher average body mass index— M ( SE ) 31.1(0.5) kg/m 2 versus 29.4(0.2) kg/m 2 , p = .002—and lower diet quality ( p = .017). When examining weight loss strategies between groups, adults with visual impairments had lower rates of eating fruits, vegetables, and salads (36.5% vs 52.9%, p = .001) and higher rates of skipping meals (34.9% vs 19.6%, p = .002). Discussion In this nationally representative sample, adults with visual impairments had lower diet quality and lower rates of using some evidence-based weight loss strategies compared to adults without visual impairments. Implications for Practitioners These results emphasize the need to assist adults with visual impairments in developing adaptive skills to adopt and maintain evidence-based weight loss strategies and strategies for diet improvements independent of weight loss efforts.