Nutritional Education Needs in Adults with Osteoarthritis and Obesity

Background: For persons with obesity and osteoarthritis (OA), nutrition education may facilitate weight and OA symptom management. The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance surveyed areas of nutrition interest prioritized by adults with hip or knee OA as a first step in developing educational materials.Methods: Participants identified their top 3-5 preferred topics listed in four domains: 1) Strategies for weight management and healthy lifestyle; 2) Vitamins, minerals & other supplements; 3) Foods & nutrients that may reduce inflammation; 4) Diets for weight loss. Height and weight were self-reported. Descriptive statistics stratified by participant obesity status (BMI < 30 kg/m2 or BMI>30 kg/m2) were used for rankings.Results: There were 296 respondents (BMI < 30: N = 124, 25.6 ± 3.0 kg/m2; BMI>30: N = 172, 38.7 ± 6.6 kg/m2). Rankings are as follows: 1) Two topics were ranked highest for all respondents: 'What foods make OA symptoms worse' (BMI < 30: 69.3% vs BMI>30: 61.0%) and 'General information about foods & nutrients to reduce inflammation' (BMI < 30: 63.7% vs BMI>30: 53.5%). 'Healthy snacking' (33.9%), 'healthy weight loss' (33.9%), and 'general information about vitamins/minerals/ supplements' (33.1%) were important for participants BMI < 30. For participants BMI>30, 'healthy weight loss' (47.1%) 'emotional eating' (39.5%) and 'strategies to promote feelings of fullness' (36.6%) were important. 2) Both groups ranked 'spices & herbs', 'fruits and vegetables', & 'nuts' as top 3 items of interest. 3) The top 3 ranked vitamins-minerals & supplements were glucosamine, vitamin D & omega-3 fatty acids for both groups. 4) Both groups were most interested in Mediterranean, low carbohydrate & fasting/intermittent fasting diets.Conclusions: Similarities in nutritional education needs exist in persons with OA irrespective of BMI. Persons with BMI>30 were also interested in modifying eating behaviors. These data will guide content development for nutrition education for managing weight and OA symptoms.