Relationship of diet quality and weight gain post-renal transplantation

The aim of this secondary data analysis was to examine the relationship of dietary quality and weight gain in post-renal transplant recipients from pre-transplant baseline through post-transplant at 3 months and 1 year. Body weight, body mass index, intake of carbohydrates, protein, fat, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, and Healthy Eating Index scores of patients were used to assess changes in dietary intake, dietary quality, and weight. Findings of this study indicated that weight gain had a strong positive correlation with fat intake. Body weight, body mass index, potassium, and fat intake significantly increased from pre-transplant baseline through post-transplant at 3 months and 1 year. In contrast, weight gain was not associated with dietary quality as assessed by the Healthy Eating Index. More research is needed in this area to identify dietary recommendations for the prevention of undesirable weight gain and potential health complications seen in patients following renal transplantation.