Diet quality among people with multiple sclerosis using personalised digital nutrition education

The Eating Well with MS (EWWMS) program is a six-week online nutrition education initiative designed to help individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) improve their diet quality. The program provides evidence-based nutrition education aligned with Australian Dietary Guidelines and incorporates behavior change techniques such as goal setting, action planning, and problem-solving strategies. Each week, participants access a new online module containing written materials, infographics, videos, and moderated discussion boards for community engagement. The program also includes symptom-specific dietary guidance tailored to MS-related issues such as fatigue, constipation, and weight management. The materials were co-designed with individuals living with MS and developed using an evidence-based approach. While the content is rooted in the Australian Dietary Guidelines, it has been uniquely tailored for MS, incorporating insights from consumer panels and stakeholders to meet the specific needs of participants. A registered nutritionist with MS expertise moderates the forums to provide support. Additionally, a 3-month booster online module reinforces long-term dietary changes, helping participants maintain progress. Access to all the modules will remain available until two weeks after the 3-month refresher module. The program consists of several key modules that guide participants through essential topics in nutrition and MS management: - Introduction to healthy eating with MS, explaining the benefits of a balanced diet for symptom management and fatigue reduction. - Food preparation and cooking skills, focusing on reading food labels, modifying recipes, and meal planning to optimize energy levels. - Making dietary changes to achieve goals, addressing eating habits, goal-setting, and strategies for long-term healthy eating. - Personalizing food choices, aligning diet with the Australian Dietary Guidelines while accommodating individual preferences. - Special diets for MS, critically evaluating marketed diets and their evidence-based effectiveness. - Understanding research, covering diet research challenges and the latest findings on MS nutrition. - A refresher module (after 3 months), reinforcing the most relevant dietary information and supporting long-term behavior change. We expect a duration of around 1 hour/week to complete each module. However, the program is self-paced, allowing participants to complete modules at their convenience before the program ends. Offline activities include access to additional healthy eating resources from the Australian Dietary Guidelines, specifically the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating brochure and associated graphics. The intervention ensures accessibility and personalization, making it a valuable tool for dietary behavior change among individuals with MS.