Participants with chronic pain do not perceive diet as a contributing factor to their pain: a survey-based study.

To explore the reported diet of Australians with chronic pain and their perceived role of food within their pain experience. A cross-sectional study of 50 participants reporting chronic pain was undertaken using pain and nutritional questionnaires as well as anthropometric measures. Participants rated their diet between 'good' and 'excellent' (76%) and one that promoted well-being (62%), however 74% were overweight or obese (average BMI 30) with multiple co-morbidities. There was no correlation between measures of dietary adherence and knowledge with reported pain. Participants generally reported their diets to be good, however, this was not reflected in their habitual diet. There was a low perceived role of food altering pain perception.