Weight loss strategies used by individuals with spinal cord injuries or disorders: Prevalence and associations with health, dietary, and activity factors

CONTEXT: pain) that challenge weight management. As such, careful attention to weight-loss strategies such as exercise and diet is needed. This study aims to identify the prevalence of intentional weight-loss strategies among individuals with SCI/D and to examine associations between their use of these strategies and health, dietary, and activity factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: National Veterans Health Administration SCI/D Centers, Midwest Regional SCI Model System of Care, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans and civilians with SCI/D recruited by mailed invitation letters. INTERVENTIONS: NA. OUTCOME MEASURES: Questions assessing demographic and injury characteristics, chronic health conditions, secondary complications, and dietary and physical activity factors. RESULTS: 301 participants with SCI/D (mean age: 57 years, 67% men, 74% white, and 56% paraplegia) completed the outcome item on weight-loss strategies. 69% of participants reported using weight-loss strategies, with general dieting (40%), restricted-calorie intake (34%), and eliminating specific food categories/types (31%) the most common strategies. Being overweight/obese (OR = 6.93), having diabetes (OR = 7.49), having urinary tract infections (OR = 2.98), preparing meals oneself (OR = 4.01), and having the last eating occasion before 8 pm (OR = 2.52) were associated with the use of weight-loss strategies. CONCLUSION: Weight-loss strategies for individuals with SCI/D are prevalent and are associated with dietary habits and health conditions. These findings highlight opportunities to improve informed and sustainable weight management practices after SCI/D.