title: Effect of specific educational program on dietary change and weight loss in breast-cancer survivors.
abstract: Consumption of Western foods with high dietary glycemic load is associated with breast cancer development, whereas adherence to Mediterranean diet has been linked to a reduced risk. Changing lifestyle can decrease risk of recurrences and mortality. Thus decreasing the weight, improving the diet and promoting lifestyle are among of the most important issues of public health. We evaluated the effects of a specific educational intervention conducted by dietitians, nutritionists physicians, oncologist and sport physician to promote lifestyle in breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  
  We recruited 100 pts in breast cancer follow up. The intervention program consisted of four meetings once a week including lectures, training sessions and workshops lasting overall a month. Dietary recommendations were provided on the basis of WCRF/AICR guidelines and were modelled on Mediterranean diet. Sport physician recommended adapted physical activity, based on clinical experiences and scientific evidences.
  
  
  
  Significantly decrease of BMI and waist circumference was observed after 2 and 6 months. Adherence to Mediterranean diet was significantly improved, both in heightening typical Mediterranean foods, both in decreasing consumption of non typical foods. At baseline 63% of women was inactive, 37% was mild active and 0% active, while at the end inactive patients felt by half (30%) and mild active women almost doubled (67%).
  
  
  
  We found this dietary intervention effective in reducing BMI and waist circumference, and enhancing healthy lifestyle in BC survivors. It has surely contributed to achieve these results besides the change in diet quality, mostly a marked reduction in sedentary habits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: cfinocchiaro@cittadellasalute.to.it.
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Finocchiaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ossola
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Taira
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Monge
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fadda
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brossa
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Vilma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Caudera
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Francesco
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D000073116:Cancer Survivors / Q000193:education*; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Breast cancer; Mediterranean diet; Weight loss