title: Factors associated with body mass index among African American breast cancer survivors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Weight gain after diagnosis and treatment is common among breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Little information exists regarding associations between body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle factors and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among African American (AA) BCSs. The present study sought to determine associations between BMI, dietary intake, and physical activity as lifestyle modification strategies and HR-QoL among AA BCSs.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this cross-sectional study, a lifestyle assessment tool was administered to 195 AA BCSs. Possible predictor variables included socio-demographic and medical characteristics, dietary intake and physical activity patterns, and physical health. The outcome variable was BMI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many BCSs (63%) had BMIs ≥25 Kg/M2and presented with stage I cancer (41%) at diagnosis. Among those presenting with late-stage cancer (IIIA, IIIB, IV), 76% were overweight or obese (p=0.0008). Eighty-four percent reported excellent-to-good physical health (p=0.0499) and were less likely to have higher BMIs compared to those reporting fair-to-poor physical health (OR=0.616 [CI=0.192-1.978]). Responders with graduate level education were more likely to have healthy body weights than those attaining high school or less educational levels (OR=2.379 [CI=0.617-9.166]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most AA BCSs surveyed were overweight or obese, did not engage in recommended physical activity levels and failed to consume diets linked to breast cancer prevention. Interventions are needed to promote weight loss, improve dietary intake, and enhance physical activity among AA BCSs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University, Augusta, GA; Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA; SISTAAH Talk Breast Cancer Support Group, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Selina A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Cancer Research Program, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Mechelle D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Claridy
authors.affiliation: SISTAAH Talk Breast Cancer Support Group, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Mary S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University, Augusta, GA.
authors.forename: Joyce Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Sheats
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University, Augusta, GA; Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA.
authors.forename: Wonsuk
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Cancer Research Program, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alema-Mensah
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University, Augusta, GA.
authors.forename: Benjamin E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Ansa
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Department of Family Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
keywords: Body mass index; HR-QoL; cancer survivors; dietary intake; physical activity