Obesity in MS: Prevalence and Risk Factors in a Washington State Community Sample

Although people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often have limited physical mobility, little is known about the prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors in this population. This study estimates the prevalence and risk factors in a community sample of 467 people with MS from Washington State surveyed in 2008. Self-report weight and height were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI= kg/m2). Subjects were classified into BMI categories: underweight (BMI <18.5), normal-weight (BMI 18.5≤24), overweight (BMI 25≤29), and obese (BMI ≥30).

Prevalence of obesity in this sample was 21.6% (n=101). 12.3% (n=10) of males and 23.5% (n=91) of females were obese. In the general population, the prevalence rate of obesity (National Health and Nutrition Examination survey) among males is 28.1% and among females is 34.0%. Univariate logistic regression analysis determined which factors were significantly associated with obesity. Variables examined as predictors included age, gender, duration of disability, employment status, wheelchair use, self-reported physical functioning, sleep problems, pain, fatigue, depression, and perceived stress. Increased physical (OR=1.06), cognitive (OR=1.03), and psychosocial fatigue (OR=1.16), major depressive disorder (OR=3.09), increased perceived stress (OR=1.09), sleeping problems (OR=1.03), increased pain (OR=1.14), and gender (OR=2.19) were all significantly associated with obesity. Increased physical functioning (OR=.96) and longer duration of MS (OR=.97) were significantly associated with lower odds of obesity.

It appears that obesity is a significant issue for some people with MS and may contribute to adverse health outcomes. Understanding risk factors can help inform interventions to reduce obesity and secondary health conditions in people with MS.