Identification of Mood and Body Mass Index as Modifiable Factors for Health Improvement in Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE: To examine the link between body mass index (BMI) and positive and negative affect after spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Inpatient and outpatient services of a rehabilitation department in Delhi, India. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=142) with spinal cord injury participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were asked to rate their affect using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. BMI was assessed with an SCI-specific procedure. Demographic and injury-related details (eg, level, nature, chronicity) were taken. RESULTS: As expected, BMI negatively correlated with positive affect (r=–1.70; P=.043). Furthermore, the chances of younger individuals with SCI having a lower BMI is 3.49 times the odds of the older individuals having a low BMI (odds ratio [OR], 3.491; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.520-8.018). The chances of men having low affect was higher than women (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.08-6.04). CONCLUSIONS: Higher BMI might be associated with lower positive affect and contribute to a higher risk of depression, specifically in women with SCI. These results might be used to enhance the regulation of physical activity (exercises) and affect experiences through therapeutic activities and proactive counselling for individuals with SCI.