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Body mass index changes over 3 years and effect of obesity on community mobility for persons with chronic spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2016 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2015.1133482 · Published: July 1, 2016

Spinal Cord InjuryParticipationEndocrinology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates obesity and its impact on mobility in people with long-term spinal cord injuries (SCI). It looks at how body mass index (BMI) changes over three years and whether obesity affects how far and how fast people can move around in their wheelchairs. The study found that a significant number of participants were overweight or obese, and their BMI tended to increase over time. Higher BMI was associated with shorter wheelchair pushing distances, suggesting that obesity can limit community mobility. The findings highlight the need for interventions to help people with SCI maintain a healthy weight and mobility, as obesity can increase the risk of shoulder injuries due to the increased demand on the upper body during wheelchair propulsion.

Study Duration
3 years
Participants
222 persons with paraplegia between 2–20 years post SCI
Evidence Level
Prospective three year longitudinal study

Key Findings

  • 1
    The majority of participants with chronic SCI were overweight (23%) or obese (44%) according to the SCI adjusted BMI classification.
  • 2
    BMI increased over time with a median change in BMI of 0.46 kg/m2 over three years.
  • 3
    Average BMI was negatively correlated with daily wheelchair propulsion distance (r = −0.179, P = 0.009), indicating that those with higher BMIs pushed their wheelchairs shorter distances.

Research Summary

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of obesity in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), track changes in body mass index (BMI) over a three-year period, and determine the impact of obesity on community mobility. The results indicated that a substantial portion of the participants were either overweight or obese, and their BMI tended to rise over time. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between average BMI and daily wheelchair propulsion distance. The study underscores the importance of addressing obesity in individuals with SCI to mitigate its potential negative effects on mobility and overall health, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

Practical Implications

Targeted Interventions

Identifying individuals with SCI who are obese allows for timely educational and medical interventions to manage weight and promote healthy mobility.

Mobility Strategies

Providing strategies and techniques to optimize wheelchair propulsion and transfers can minimize the risk of shoulder injuries, especially for those with higher body weight.

Weight Management Programs

Developing and implementing weight management programs tailored to individuals with SCI can help prevent further weight gain and improve overall health outcomes.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Obesity is difficult to measure in the SCI population.
  • 2
    Error is introduced by using self-reported height because recalled height and measured height have been found to disagree.
  • 3
    Due to the high prevalence of shoulder pain, limiting participation to only those without shoulder pain likely introduced a sampling bias and limits the generalizability of the results.

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