Childhood cancer survivors and adherence to the American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity
Menée aux Etats-Unis auprès de 431 cas et 361 témoins, cette étude analyse les facteurs associés à l'adhésion à des recommandations relatives à la nutrition et à l'activité physique chez des survivants d'un cancer de l'enfance
Purpose : The objective of this study was to assess adherence of childhood cancer survivors in comparison to cancer-free adults of comparable age and sex (or “controls”) to the 2012 American Cancer Society (ACS) Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity. Methods : As part of the Chicago Healthy Living Study, 431 childhood cancer survivors (18.5 ± 8.1 years from diagnosis) and 361 controls completed a structured, health-focused interview including the Block Brief Food Frequency Questionnaire and Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. From these data, modified adherence scores were computed based on ACS guidelines (maximum score of 8 reflecting complete adherence). Comparisons were made between survivors and controls and among racial-ethnic groups of survivors and controls. Results : There was no difference in overall ACS adherence scores between survivors and controls (4.3 ± 1.5 vs. 4.2 ± 1.5, p = 0.54). As compared to controls, survivors, on average, had a lower body mass index or BMI (27.9 ± 7.0 vs. 29.3 ± 7.8 kg/m2, p = 0.01) and consumed less fiber (9.2 ± 3.5 vs. 9.7 ± 3.8 g/1,000 kcal, p = 0.05). Within the survivor group, ACS adherence scores did not differ across racial-ethnic groups, but differences were observed with respect to component behaviors. Hispanic survivors had a higher BMI when compared to those of whites (29.2 ± 7.4 vs. 26.2 ± 5.3 kg/m2, p = 0.001). Daily alcohol consumption was greater for whites among both survivors and controls as compared to other racial-ethnic groups (p < 0.017 for all comparisons). Conclusions : Compared to controls, survivors were not practicing healthier behaviors. Among minority survivors, excess body weight, particularly among Hispanics, is a major concern. Assessment of these behaviors should be incorporated into survivor follow-up care. Implications for Cancer Survivors : There is much room for improvement in educating and encouraging survivors to follow healthier diet and lifestyle routines to prevent obesity and further morbidity.