Samenvatting

Background Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) patients have a high risk of becoming overweight or obese. The Body Mass Index (BMI) of SCI patients in the Netherlands is rising rapidly during and after rehabilitation (56%). During the first year after rehabilitation, a significant difference in their BMI (p < 0.001) is measured. After three years the risk for being overweight or obese is 75%. So far there is no complete overview of all factors that influence obesity among this specific target group. Objective The aim of the systematic review was to investigate the different factors that influence weight gain among SCI patients. Method The review draws upon results collected from a systematic search in the PubMed database. The studies that were used for this review were selected using pre-defined eligibility criteria. Studies were included (n=6) if they examined the factors that influence weight gain or the chance of obesity among SCI patients. Eligibility and quality were assessed by two independent researchers. Results In total, six studies were included. Based on those studies, the factor age had a positive relation with the development of obesity in SCI patients. Location of injury and education had a negative relation to the development of being overweight or obese in SCI patients. Completeness of injury had evidence for both a positive and negative relation to developing obesity. Gender showed an association between males and developing obesity. However, some factors had more studies to underpin their relationship to obesity. Conclusion The personal factors that influence the development of obesity in SCI patients are location and completeness of injury, age, education and gender. Those factors should be taken into account when guiding SCI patients in weight management. More research into the role of those factors is desired since evidence is poor.