Dietary approach to prevent obesity risk in Spina Bifida patients

Purpose The aim of this prospective, analytic study is to evaluate if dietary approach can improve the body mass index (BMI) in a total of N = 152 patients with SB. Methods BMI levels were evaluated stratifying patients by gender and age classes. Patients with BMI ≥ 25 have been randomized (1:1) in two groups: the “diet” group that received a dietary program and the “no diet” group that did not receive any program. Patients have been observed at the beginning of the study ( T 0 ), and again at the end of the study, 1 year later ( T 1 ). The main objective of the study was to evaluate BMI score in SB patients and how it could be influenced by dietary changes. Results A total of 36.8% patients were classified as overweight or obese. Females present a mean BMI level higher than male, and patients older than 20 years old present the highest mean BMI. The “diet” group BMI decreased from 29.7 (± 3.8) to 27.7 (± 3.7) during the year of program. The mean BMI in the “no diet” group decreased from 30.3 (± 4.6) to 29.2 (± 4.7). There was a statistically significant difference in BMI level between groups ( p