Diet quality in adults with cerebral palsy: a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease prevention.

AIM: To assess diet quality and its relationship with cardiovascular health measures for adults with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: A convenience sample of 45 adults with CP (26 females, 19 males; mean age 35y 10mo [SD 14y 9mo]). were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Demographic, medical, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) information were obtained through in-person visits. Participants completed two 24-hour dietary recalls using the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool. Specific macronutrient intake was compared to 2015 to 2020 US Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Other data included body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c;n=43). RESULTS: Adults across GMFCS levels I to V were enrolled, 20 participants were in GMFCS levels IV or V. Mean calorie intake was 1777.91/day (SD 610.54), while sodium intake was 3261.75mg/day (SD 1484.92). Five participants met USDA vegetable and seven fruit guidelines. None met whole grain targets. Sixteen were overweight/obese by BMI. Sixteen participants without hypertension diagnoses had elevated blood pressure and nine had abnormal HgA1c without prediabetes/diabetes history. Percent calories from saturated fat was inversely associated with WHR in unadjusted and adjusted models (p=0.002 and p=0.003 respectively); all other dietary recommendations assessed (total calories, sodium, and sugar) were non-significant. Post hoc analyses were unchanged using 2020 to 2025 USDA guidelines. INTERPRETATION: Assessment of nutrient intake and diet quality is feasible and warrants further study in adults with CP, as USDA guidelines are largely unmet. What this paper adds Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) do not meet US Department of Agriculture dietary quality recommendations. Prediabetes and hypertension may be common, but unrecognized, in adults with CP. Screening for nutrient intake and diet quality should be performed to facilitate nutritional counseling.

Understanding Black Patients' Refusal of Pneumococcal Vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: Racial disparities in rates of pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV23) exist. In one practice, 3.1 % of white patients refused PPSV23 following doctor recommendation, whereas 11.2 % of black patients refused vaccination. Our objective was to understand reasons black patients refused PPSV23. METHODS: Mixed-method telephone survey in 2012 of black patients aged ≥65 with a documented refusal of PPSV23. The survey assessed beliefs about PPSV23; reasons for non-receipt of PPSV23; receipt of other vaccinations; and comparative perceptions of adult vs. childhood vaccines. Participants responded to items on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). RESULTS: Participants' (N = 40) mean age was 73 years; 95 % were female. Participants recognized pneumonia could be deadly (M = 4.3, SD = 1.0), but reported low levels of personal susceptibility (M = 2.8, SD = 1.4). Participants perceived childhood vaccines to be safer (M = 4.2, SD = 1.2) than adult vaccines (M = 3.4, SD = 1.4; p < 0.01). Qualitative analyses to understand reasons for refusal of vaccine both reinforced identified low perceptions of personal susceptibility as well as identified numerous additional barriers to receipt of PPSV23 (e.g., fear, side effects, and mistrust). CONCLUSIONS: Black patients in our sample who refused PPSV23 may not perceive themselves susceptible to the disease, suggesting that strategies to improve PPSV23 rates among these patients may need to emphasize susceptibility to pneumonia. Further, given the discrepancies in perceptions toward childhood versus adult vaccinations, focusing on vaccination across the lifespan may be a promising vaccine promotion strategy.