Dietary intake in people with spinal cord injury based on sex, obesity and injury related variable in Brain and Spinal Injury Repair Research Center

Background & Objectives: Despite an increased risk of obesity and CHD in people with spinal cord injury (SCI), there is little known about the dietary intake in this group, therefore the aim of this study was to examine nutrient intake and body mass index (BMI) in the spinal cord injury (SCI) population according to level of injury and related variables. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 162 patients with spinal cord injury participated from Brain and Spinal Injury Repair research Center, Tehran, Iran. Dietary intakes were assessed by means of a semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Results: The mean age of study population was 34.1±0.6 years. Total energy and carbohydrate intake were higher in men than women (P<0.001). Incomplete injured consumed more MUFA (P=0.03). The elderly were consumed less total calorie, saturated fat, MUFA, cholesterol (P<0.01) and PUFA (P<0.05). Injured patients with longer times had lower total calorie, carbohydrate (P<0.01), total fat and MUFA intake (P