Food avoidance behaviors in individuals living with spinal cord injuries and disorders
Model System:
SCIReference Type:
Journal articleAccession No.:
Journal:
Rehabilitation PsychologyYear, Volume, Issue, Page(s):
, In Press, In Press, Not yet availablePublication Website:
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Frep0000659Abstract:
Purpose/Objective: Research on food avoidance behaviors in individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) is scarce. The objective was to assess food avoidance, reasons, and associated variables in persons with chronic SCI/D. Research Method/Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Bivariate and multivariable analyses identified variables associated with food avoidance. Results: Of 365 respondents, 63% engaged in food avoidance behaviors. Reasons included intentional weight loss (49%), lack of hunger cues (40%), fear of bowel complications (32%), fear of gastrointestinal concerns (26%), uninterested in food (26%), and lack of help needed to prepare/eat food (11%). Bivariate analysis showed that a greater proportion of individuals with SCI/D who engaged in food avoidance behaviors compared with those who did not had low blood pressure (29% vs. 19%), heart problems (13% vs. 5%), sleep problems (86% vs. 66%), musculoskeletal pain (82% vs. 63%), bowel complications (78% vs. 69%), bladder complications (77% vs. 65%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (49% vs. 30%), osteoporosis (37% vs. 24%), posttraumatic stress (35% vs. 16%), and loneliness (31% vs. 14%; all p < .05). Variables that remained independently associated with food avoidance in multivariable analysis included: heart conditions (OR = 3.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–8.12), gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.05–2.97), musculoskeletal pain (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.11–3.62), sleep problems (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.01–3.30), and loneliness (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.17–4.10; all p < .05). Conclusions/Implications: Many individuals with SCI/D engaged in food avoidance behaviors. Food avoidance may be a strategy people use to modify their diet to manage health conditions, or it may suggest disordered avoidant eating behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)