Investigation of factors affecting weight gain and physical activity in kidney transplant recipients

Objective: This study aimed to determine the affecting factors related to weight gain and physical activity in kidney transplant recipients. Design: The study has a descriptive and cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of all the patients having kidney transplantation (n=107) at one private hospital and one university hospital between November 2017 and August 2018. Methods: Data were collected by using a sociodemographic and clinical characteristic form, Nutrition Assessment Questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Scale. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the data. Results: The difference between the body mass index in the first follow-up and the body mass index in last follow-up was 2.44 +/- 4.78. There were statistically significant differences between weight and BMI in the first follow-up and weight and the body mass index in the last follow-up after transplantation. As age increased, weight gain decreased by 0.22 times, but as time from transplantation increased, weight gain increased by 0.37 times. Transplants from live donors increased weight gain by 0.21 times. None of the variables included in the regression model was predictive of physical activity levels. No significant relation was found between weight gain and physical activity levels. Conclusion: While the recipients gained less weight as age progressed, they gained more weight as the time elapsed after kidney transplantation increased. It seems that live transplant recipients gain more weight and need support in this respect. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the recipients did not affect their physical exercise levels. Weight gain and physical activity status of kidney transplant recipients should be examined periodically.