The relationship weight gain between nutrition, physical activity and immunosuppressive treatment in kidney transplantation recipients

Purpose: The relationship weight gain between nutrition, physical activity and immunosuppressive treatment in kidney transplantation recipients. Method: This is a prospective follow-up study. The patients whose consents were taken and who were kidney transplanted between 15th October 2016 and 15th April 2017 (n=51) were included in the research. The data were collected through Questionnaire Form, First Check, 3rd and 6th Month Follow-up Forms. Patients were handed out Food Consumption Registry Form and Physical Activity Registry Form in all three follow-ups and asked to report their food intake and physical activity practices for three days each. Statistical analysis of the data were made by SAS 9.4 programme. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskall-Wallis Variance Analysis were applied to the variables. Correlation analysis and chi-square analysis was used. The level of significance in the study was accepted as 0.05. Findings: In 3rd and 6th months of post-renal transplantation period there is an increase in weight. Patients increase the amount of calori through food and the amount of energy that they consume through physical activity in the first week and the 3rd and 6th months of post-transplantation period. A positive intermediate relationship (r=0.624) was identified between food intake and weight gain; however, a positive weak relationship (r=0.281) was identified between corticosteroid and weight gain. A negative relationship was identified between age, tacrolimus, corticosteroid and the consumed energy (r=-0.196;r=-0.210;r=-0.220). A significant difference was identified between weight averages of males and females in repeated follow-ups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The data show that there is a positive relationship between weight gain and the amount of calories and corticosteroids, and that there is no relationship with energy expenditure. Key words: kidney transplantation, weight gain, nutrition, physical activity, immunosupressive treatment