title: Excessive adiposity and sedentary lifestyles are prevalent in cancer patients; a pilot study.
abstract: Cancer aetiology is multifactorial; risk factors comprise obesity, central adiposity, physical inactivity and excessive/ deficient intake of foods and/or nutrients with procarcinogenic/ protective effects. We aim to analyze the pattern of nutritional status, food intake and physical activity in a cohort of cancer patients. This pilot crosssectional study was conducted in 64 outpatients referred for Radiotherapy. Nutritional parameters evaluated: BMI, waist circumference, body composition by tetrapolar bioimpedance (Xitron®). Usual food intake was collected with a short food frequency questionnaire and physical activity was assessed with Jacksons' questionnaire. Overweight/obesity and excessive body fat mass prevalence was of 53% and 61%, respectively. Central obesity, which indicates moderate/high cardio-metabolic risk, was found in 78% of patients. Food frequency analysis showed a poor intake in vegetables and a high intake in meat and carbohydrates. Physical inactivity was prevalent. This pilot study in cancer patients, showed a high prevalence of overweight/obesity, excessive fat mass and central obesity, simultaneously with sedentary lifestyles and an inadequate diet, poor in protective foods and excessive in deleterious ones. Thus, these patients exhibit a high risk pattern for cancer development and for a poorer prognosis. The implementation of measures to promote balanced and protective diets and to encourage physical activity practice is urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Nutriçao e Metabolismo. Instituto de Medicina Molecular. Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa.
authors.forename: Ana Isabel
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Dina Raquel
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: João
authors.forename: Andreia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rolão
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Monteiro-Grillo
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camilo
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ravasco
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D057185:Sedentary Behavior