Physical and emotional consequences of excess weight as experienced by individuals with spinal cord injuries

Abstract

Context/Objective

Excess weight has the potential to carry a substantial physical and emotional burden. A better understanding of perceived consequences of excess weight may facilitate the development of patient-centered programs and interventions to promote weight management efforts in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The study objective was to describe consequences of excess weight from the personal perspectives of individuals with SCI.

Design

Descriptive qualitative design using in-depth semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.

Setting

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) SCI System of Care.

Participants

Individuals with SCI (n-33).

Outcome measures

Key themes from thematic analysis.

Results

Participants were male (61%), ranged from 29 to 84 years of age, and about half had tetraplegia (55%). Five themes were identified that demonstrate negative consequences of excess weight experienced by individuals with SCI, including: (1) physical health conditions (including chronic conditions and SCI secondary conditions), (2) physical symptoms (such as pain, discomfort, and fatigue), (3) movement challenges, (4) appearance-related concerns, and (5) emotional impacts.

Conclusions

Carrying excess weight is concerning to individuals with SCI and in terms of consequences such onset or exacerbation of chronic conditions, SCI secondary conditions, physical symptoms, e.g. pain, movement impairment (including hampered mobility, difficult transfers and self-care), image/appearance concerns (e.g. body image, clothing misfit), and negative emotions (e.g. unhappy, sad, depressed). Our findings may inform SCI healthcare providers about the consequences of excess weight as experienced by individuals with SCI, highlighting what matters most to persons with SCI and guiding a patient-centered approach to weight management in this population.

Keywords:

• Qualitative research
• Spinal cord injury
• Consequences
• Overweight/obesity
• Comorbidities

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the veterans living with spinal cord injury who participated in the interviews.

Disclaimer statements

Contributors None.

Funding This study was supported by Merit Review Award number IIR 17-047 (Eisenberg) and Research Career Scientist Award number RCS14-232 (Harris) from the United States (U.S.) Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development Service. The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States government.

Conflicts of interest Authors have no conflict of interests to declare.