Nutrition and physical activity

This project aims to generate new knowledge about the significance of nutrition and physical activity for adults with severe CP.

Adults with severe CP often weigh very little. This is most likely because their energy intake is
lower than their energy consumption, but no documentation exists on this group’s daily energy
intake versus consumption. It is therefore unclear whether persistent muscle activity in relation to
spasticity is a contributing factor.

Approach

The group’s energy intake will be investigated through diet surveys, and their energy consumption
through using doubly labelled water. In addition, their daily activity levels will be documented with
the help of EMG, pulse and accelerometer readings.

Our expectation is that adults with severe CP have an energy intake that is too low. Therefore, the
next part of the project will initiate interventions with a view to increasing their daily energy
intake.

Want to know more about the project?

Contact the Head of Research & Development, Jens Bo Nielsen, at jbn@elsassfonden.dk