Faculty Collaboration Database

Adherence to American Cancer Society and American Institute of Cancer Research dietary guidelines in overweight African American breast cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 2019 Apr;13(2):257-268

Date

04/15/2019

Pubmed ID

30982113

Pubmed Central ID

PMC6612676

DOI

10.1007/s11764-019-00748-y

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85064494797 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   18 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) each created dietary and physical activity guidelines to improve cancer survivorship. Despite African American breast cancer survivors (AABCS) having the lowest survival rates of any racial or ethnic group, limited information exists on their adherence to cancer-specific lifestyle recommendations. The study's purpose was to measure adherence to ACS/AICR dietary recommendations in AABCS.

METHODS: Two hundred ten AABCS enrolled in the Moving Forward intervention trial, a randomized, community-based, 6-month weight loss study, were assessed for socio-demographics, dietary intake (via food frequency questionnaire), and related health factors at baseline. We operationalized the dietary recommendations put forth by ACS/AICR and created component and total adherence index scores. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the proportion of women who met recommendations. Student's t test and χ2 tests were used to compare participant characteristics by median adherence scores.

RESULTS: The mean total ACS/AICR score was 12.7 ± 2.5 out of 21 points (median, 13; range, 5 to 21). Over 90% were moderately or completely adherent to limiting alcohol and red & processed meat consumption, but the majority failed to meet the other recommendations to eat whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and avoid added sugars. Women with total scores below the median were younger, with higher BMI, had fewer years of education, and lower income levels.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The present study extends the literature on AABCS adherence to cancer survivor-specific dietary guidelines. Findings will inform future dietary lifestyle interventions in this population.

Author List

Springfield S, Odoms-Young A, Tussing-Humphreys L, Freels S, Stolley M

Author

Melinda Stolley PhD Center Associate Director, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
American Cancer Society
Breast Neoplasms
Cancer Survivors
Diet
Exercise
Female
Humans
Life Style
Middle Aged
Nutrition Policy
Overweight
Patient Compliance
Risk Reduction Behavior
Societies, Medical
United States
Weight Reduction Programs