TY - JOUR T1 - Relationships between nutritional knowledge, obesity and sleep disorder severity JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P2235 AU - Jeffrey Pretto AU - Shiho Rose AU - Brooke Emmett AU - Michael Hensley AU - Frans Henskens AU - Chris Paul Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P2235.abstract N2 - There is a causal relationship between obesity and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and weight loss is a recommended intervention. Nutrition knowledge (NK) allows healthy dietary choices and may assist in weight loss strategies; however this has not been assessed in the sleep disorders population. Aims: To document nutrition knowledge of patients assessed for suspected sleep disorders, and to assess relationships between NK, obesity and SDB. Methods: Adult patients attending a sleep laboratory for polysomnography (PSG) completed a nutrition knowledge questionnaire (Hendrie et al, Pub Health Nutr, 2008;11:1365). Relationships between NK and anthropometric and PSG data were evaluated. Results: 97 patients completed the study with mean (SD) age of 48 (16). 65% were obese, and mean BMI was 34.8 (10.2). The mean AHI (AASMalt) was 17.8 (23.2). Score for overall NK was not different between sexes (t-test p=0.34) and was not correlated with BMI, waist or neck circumference, nor with AHI. There was a single moderate correlation between one domain of NK (everyday food choice) and BMI (r=0.204, p=0.027). Discussion: Nutrition knowledge in this patient cohort is no worse than that of the general Australian community suggesting that lack of NK does not explain the high level of obesity in this group. The overall lack of relationship between NK and severity of SDB or obesity suggests that knowledge deficit is not a contributory cause of obesity or SDB in this cohort. Nutritional knowledge in this group does not seem to determine dietary behaviour. These data suggest that providing education to improve knowledge of diet and nutrition may not be effective as a weight loss strategy for the management of SDB. ER -