Abstract Details

Title Obesity, Diet, & Physical Activity in Pediatric MS: Parental and Child Perceptions

Topic Child Neurology and Developmental Neurology

Presentation(s) P8 - Poster Session 8 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 6-004

Objective To understand the perceptions and opinions regarding weight, dietary intake, and physical activity (PA) in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) patients. To identify if independent parental perceptions align with those of their child with POMS.

Background Risk for POMS is impacted by diet and obesity. There is accumulating evidence that obesity, dietary habits, and physical inactivity may influence disease course. Despite this, the majority of overweight/obese MS youth do not perceive that they are overweight/obese.

Design/Methods Subjects with POMS and at least one of their primary caregivers were asked
to complete a survey targeting opinions and perceptions of weight, dietary intake, and
PA as it relates to MS.

Results 105 participants completed the survey (53 individuals with POMS and 52 caregivers). Two-
thirds of POMS participants identify as being overweight and 38% have been told they
were overweight by a healthcare provider. Only 36% of caregivers consider their child
with POMS to be overweight. Most POMS participants have tried to impact their weight by
eating healthier (74%), exercising (72%), or by eating less (51%). Main obstacles to
weight loss include depression/anxiety (30%), difficulty with willpower (30%), lack of funds for
healthy food/exercise (25%), and fatigue (25%). Though two-thirds exercised
purposefully at least once in the past week, the majority (60%) are not as physically
active as they would like to be. A small subset of POMS participants (23%) and their caregivers
(35%) consider MS to be a contributor to why they are not as active as they would like to
be.

Conclusions Children with POMS are more likely to identify themselves as overweight
than their caregiver. Major obstacles to attaining a healthy weight include
mood/motivation, monetary resources, and fatigue. Despite the prevalence of inactivity,
the majority of youth and their caregivers do not identify MS as a factor to lack of PA.

Authors/Disclosures
Emma L. Wetmore, MD PRESENTER	Dr. Wetmore has nothing to disclose.
Diana Lehner-Gulotta, RD	Mrs. Lehner-Gulotta has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Functional Formularies.
Alyssa Beth Stotz, MS, NBC-HWC	Mrs. Stotz has nothing to disclose.
Claire Har, Jr., MPH	Ms. Har has nothing to disclose.
Ilana L. Kahn, MD (Childrens National Medical Center)	Dr. Kahn has nothing to disclose.
James N. Brenton, MD, FAAN	Dr. Brenton has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for I-ACT on a Novartis sponsored project. The institution of Dr. Brenton has received research support from NIH/NINDS. The institution of Dr. Brenton has received research support from Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance. Dr. Brenton has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Brenton has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Grant Reviewer with Department of Defense. Dr. Brenton has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Grant Reviewer with NIH. Dr. Brenton has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Grant Reviewer with FDA.

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