Recent findings suggest that self-reported engagement in healthy lifestyle habits has far-reaching effects on multiple aspects of daily living and disease management in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study sought to determine whether healthy nutritional choices, exercise, and social/intellectual engagement impacts functioning in individuals with MS. 248 MS participants completed a questionnaire assessing factors related to cognitive health (Cognitive Health Questionnaire; CHQ). They also endorsed measures assessing disease symptoms and management, mood, and well-being/quality of life. A measure of information processing speed was administered to a subset of participants. Investigators found:

• A previously derived CHQ factor comprised of healthy nutritional habits and exercise items was associated with less fatigue, better sleep, reduced pain, and improved mood and disease management.
• A factor with items assessing social and intellectual engagement correlated with mood, disease management, and well-being.
• Endorsement of items in both CHQ factors was associated with better information processing speed.
• Subsequent regression analyses indicated that education and mood were most predictive of nutritional habits and exercise, while MS self-efficacy was particularly associated with engagement in social and intellectual activities.