Association between excess body weight and disordered eating attitude among women living with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

The study aimed to: (i) characterize dietary intake and identify disorders eating attitudes in women with SLE, (ii) evaluate possible differences in both dietary intake and disorders eating attitudes in patients with SLE according to nutritional status, (iii) investigate possible associations between eating disorders attitudes, anthropometric characteristics and food consumption. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 46 premenopausal female patients (18-40 years), with inactive disease, using prednisone <10 mg/day and hydroxychloroquine at a stable dose. Patients were allocated into two groups according to their nutritional status by body mass index (BMI): normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m²) and excess weight (BMI >25 kg/m²). Food consumption was assessed according to the processing level and energy and macronutrient content. The Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS) was applied. Results: Patients with excess weight had a higher DEAS score when compared to those with normal weight (34 ± 8.7 vs 25 ± 5.9, p = .001). A higher percentage of patients with excess weight demonstrated disturbance in their relationship with food and concerns about food and weight gain versus those with normal weight. DEAS score was positively associated with BMI, abdominal circumference, and fat mass percentage and negatively associated with lipid intake. Conclusion: Disordered eating attitudes differ in SLE patients according to nutritional status, and those with excess weight show higher DEAS scores, which may be related to food and weight gain.