title: Obesity, ethnicity, and quality of life among breast cancer survivors and women without breast cancer: the long-term quality of life follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between obesity and quality of life (QOL) among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white breast cancer survivors and population-based controls from the 'Long-Term Quality of Life Study'--a 12- to 15-year follow-up study of breast cancer cases/survivors and controls from New Mexico (n = 451).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using multiple linear regressions, obesity measures [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m(2)] at baseline and follow-up interview were modeled with composite scores for physical and mental health from the SF-36 Quality of Life Survey. Interaction between ethnicity and BMI and change in BMI were evaluated. All models were adjusted for age, ethnicity, Charlson Index, depression, fatigue, and physical activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline obesity (β = -6.58, p = 0.04) was significantly associated with decreased mental health among survivors, but not among controls. Obesity at baseline and follow-up were significantly associated with decreased physical health among survivors (baseline β = -10.51, p = 0.004; follow-up β = -7.16, p = 0.02) and controls (baseline β = -11.07, p < 0.001; follow-up β = -5.18, p = 0.04). No significant interactions between ethnicity and BMI were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings provide unique information about a diverse population of breast cancer survivors and controls and the impact of obesity on the mental and physical aspects of QOL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Office E-6137, Baltimore, MD, USA. aconnor8@jhu.edu.|Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. aconnor8@jhu.edu.
authors.forename: Avonne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pinkston
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Kathy B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Breast cancer; Hispanic Americans; Obesity; Quality of life