Dietary diversity score: Implications for obesity prevention and nutrient adequacy in renal transplant recipients

Obesity affects both medical and surgical outcomes in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Dietary diversity, an important component of a healthy diet, might be a useful nutritional strategy for monitoring patients with obesity. In this cross-sectional study, the data of 85 eligible RTRs were analyzed. Demographic data, routine laboratory data, and 3-day dietary data were collected. Participants were grouped into nonobesity and obesity groups based on body mass index (BMI) (for Asian adults, the cutoff point is 27 kg/m²). Dietary diversity score (DDS) was computed by estimating scores for the six food groups emphasized in the Food Guide. The mean age and BMI of participants were 49.7 ± 12.6 years and 24.0 ± 3.8 kg/m², respectively. In the study population, 20.0% (n = 17) were obese. DDS was significantly lower in obese participants than in those who were not obese (1.53 ± 0.87 vs. 2.13 ± 0.98; p = 0.029). In addition, DDS was correlated with nutrition adequacy of the diet. Multivariate analysis showed that the odds of obesity decreased with each unit increase in DDS (odds ratio, 0.278; 95% confidence interval, 0.101–0.766; p = 0.013). We conclude that patients with higher dietary diversity have a lower prevalence of obesity.