Associations between Christian Orthodox Church Fasting and Adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund’s Cancer Prevention Recommendations

Objective: Studies regarding the health effects of religious fasting have increased in the last decade. The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasting recommendations and cancer risk, with a specific focus on fibre, fruit, vegetables, and red and processed meat consumption. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants included 361 individuals from Northern Greece. One hundred and seventy-six participants followed the COC fasting regime for more than 10 years, and 185 participants did not follow any restrictive dietary patterns. Diet was assessed using a 114-item food frequency questionnaire. Results: Fasters had a more favourable dietary intake compared to non-fasters, with fasters having a higher consumption of fruit and vegetables (p = 0.009) and a significantly lower consumption of total processed meat (p < 0.001) compared to non-fasters. No significant differences were observed in the consumption of fibre and red meat consumption between the two groups. Conclusions: Following the World Cancer Research Fund Cancer Recommendations, fasters are at a potentially lowering risk of developing colorectal cancer than non-fasters due to their more favourable dietary intake. Furthermore, higher consumption of fruit and vegetables with a lower consumption of total processed meat contributes to lower the risk of metabolic syndrome. Public health strategies based on following the structured COC fasting recommendations might hopefully contribute to the prevention of metabolic syndrome and colorectal cancer.     

US Adults Fall Short of the Dietary Guidelines for Cancer Prevention Regardless of BMI Category

BackgroundCancer risk is determined by specific factors, including body weight and dietary patterns. Accordingly, the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research published updated cancer prevention recommendations in 2018 based on comprehensive reviews of modifiable behaviors associated with cancer risk.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the extent to which US adults meet these evidence-based recommendations and how adherence differs by weight status.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the 2005-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).Participants/settingDietary intake data for 30,888 adults 18 years and older with normal body mass index (BMI), overweight, or obesity were analyzed.Main outcome measuresDifferences in dietary intakes and the proportion of adults meeting guidelines were compared across BMI categories.Statistical analyses performedLogistic regression and 1-way analysis of covariance were used to analyze differences in adherence to recommendations, controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and family income as a percent of the federal poverty rate.ResultsRegarding fruit and nonstarchy vegetables, 62.8% of adults with normal BMI, 64.5% with overweight, and 70.1% with obesity fell short of recommendations. Regarding whole grains, 67.9% of adults with normal BMI, 70.2% with overweight, and 73.1% with obesity did not meet the recommendation. Regarding red meat, 36.7% of adults with normal BMI, 41.6% with overweight, and 43.5% with obesity consumed >18 oz/week, with a significant difference in mean intakes between adults with normal BMI and obesity (P < .001). Adults with obesity consumed significantly less dietary fiber and more processed meat than adults with normal BMI and overweight (P < 0.001).ConclusionsFew U.S. adults meet cancer prevention recommendations; adults with obesity are significantly less likely to do so. Future research should evaluate compounded risk resulting from obesity and poor dietary patterns inconsistent with current evidence-based guidelines, and inform targeted interventions to address these issues.     

Adherence to Diet and Body Weight Recommendations among Cancer Survivors after Completion of Initial Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review of the Literature

This systematic review of the literature aimed to 1) provide an overview of the extent to which cancer survivors adhere to diet and body weight recommendations after completion of initial treatment and 2) gain insight into characteristics associated with adherence to these recommendations. Four databases were searched for relevant papers. We included observational studies describing adherence to recommendations on body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference, fruit and vegetable intake, and alcohol consumption of adult (≥18?yr) cancer survivors after the completion of initial treatment (i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy). Of the 2,830 articles retrieved from the database search, 12 articles were included. Adherence to the recommendation on BMI varied from 34% to 77%; adherence to the fruit and vegetable recommendation varied from 9% to 83%; and adherence to the recommendation on alcohol consumption varied from 62% to 96.8%. Adherence to waist-to-hip ratio (43%) and waist circumference recommendations (11%) was described in one study among overweight breast cancer survivors. The results of these studies generally suggest that adherence to the recommendation on alcohol intake is relatively high and that adherence to the recommendation on body weight and fruit and vegetable intake should particularly be promoted.     

Association of fruit and vegetable intake with dietary fat intake

We examined the relation of fruit and vegetable intake with dietary fat intake under conditions in which individuals consume recommended number of portions of dairy, meat and grain foods, using 24-hour dietary recall data from the NHANES II of 1976–80. Only recalls that included at least 2 servings each of dairy foods and meat and 4 servings of grains, but variable servings of fruits and vegetables (ranging from 0 to 2 or more) were examined, yielding a total of 9 food group patterns (possible combinations of food group servings) as reported by 1,490 respondents. In patterns ranging from 0 to 2 servings each of fruits and vegetables, the mean percent of energy as fat varied from 39% to 36%. We observed a slight trend for decreasing energy from fat with increasing number of fruit-but not vegetable-servings. Consumption of fruits and vegetables was not associated with selection of lower-fat foods in the meat, dairy or grain groups. The percent of daily fat contributed by the miscellaneous food group (containing visible fats, sweeteners, and baked products with a high fat or sugar content) increased with increasing vegetable-but not fruit-servings. These results suggest that without conscious effort to reduce fat intake, an increase in fruit and vegetable intake may have a relatively minor impact on reduction of dietary fat.     

Concordance of diets and eating practices in a rural Guatemalan setting with the cancer prevention recommendations of the World Cancer Research Fund: estimates from existing dietary intake

To evaluate concordance of eating practices in a rural Guatemalan setting with the 14-point cancer prevention recommendations of the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research. Two-hundred sixty nine food-frequency questionnaires based on the Willett model were analysed with respect to concordance with the recommendations, aimed at constraining intakes of: fat, sugar, salt, red meat and alcoholic beverages within specific ranges; restricting nutritional supplements' use for the express purpose of avoiding cancer; maximizing the consumption of: edible plants, especially fruits, vegetables, cereals, tubers and legumes; achieving dietary variety and nutrient adequacy; avoiding high-temperature cooking, and exposure to food additives, pesticides and residues; adequately preserving perishable and fungal-prone foods; maintaining normal body composition and regular levels of physical activity. The study was conducted in the county seat and three hamlets from the rural province of Santa Rosa. 214 females and 55 males were evaluated. Daily food servings of plant origin varied from 18.2 to 99.1% (74.6 +/- 10.7%). The guidelines' criteria were met by more than 80% for total fat, red meat, ethanol, fruits and vegetables, cereals-tubers-legumes, sugar and nutritional adequacy, whereas 80% concordance was not met for nutritional supplements, and dietary variety. The other variables could not be evaluated. Concordance with national standards for micronutrient intake was not achieved most frequently for calcium, riboflavin, and iron. Guatemalan cuisine and diet in this rural setting has features of a cancer-protective diet, but complementary actions must be taken, within the social and economic realities of the region.     

Trends in diet and breast cancer mortality in England and Wales 1928–1977

Trends in age‐adjusted breast cancer mortality and consumption of meat, fat, sugar, cereal, and fruit and vegetables were studied for England and Wales over the 50‐year period from 1928 to 1977. At the onset of World War II, there was a marked reduction in both breast cancer mortality and intake of sugar, meat and fat, and an increased consumption of cereals and vegetables. Consumption of these foodstuffs returned to pre‐war levels by 1954, but breast cancer mortality did not return to pre‐war levels until some 15 years later. The association between the various dietary components and subsequent breast cancer mortality was determined for various lag intervals. Significant correlations were found for cereal, fat, sugar and meat consumption, the correlation being maximal for a diet‐breast cancer death lag interval of 12 years.

These findings add weight to the hypothesis that breast cancer development is related to a diet rich in meat, fat and sugar, and that some protection against cancer may be afforded by a reduction in these dietary components and an increase in cereal consumption.     

Dietary Intakes of Children Enrolled in US Early Child-Care Programs During Child-Care and Non-Child-Care Days

BackgroundEarly-child-care (ECE) programs may substantially influence child diet quality.ObjectiveThe Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings describes the usual food group intake of preschool-aged children attending ECE programs relative to Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommendations, comparing intakes during child-care and non-child-care days.DesignMeal observations and parent-completed food diaries in a cross-sectional nationally representative multistage cluster sample of Child and Adult Care Food Program-participating ECE programs.Participants/settingOne thousand four hundred sixty-eight children aged 3 to 5 years attending 217 Child and Adult Care Food Program-participating ECE programs (eg, child-care centers and Head Start) during 2017.Main outcome measuresDaily energy intake, daily US Department of Agriculture Food Pattern Food Group intakes, and percentage of daily intakes meeting 2015-2020 DGA Food Pattern recommendations.Statistical analyses performedRegression-adjusted usual intakes and percentage of children meeting recommendations were estimated using the National Cancer Institute method. Single-day mean intakes were used to test for statistical differences between child-care and non-child-care days.ResultsMean usual energy intake was 1,524 ± 19.3 kcal during child-care days and exceeded the recommended range at 1,702 ± 30.2 kcal during non-child-care days; single-day means indicated significantly lower energy intake on child-care days (P < 0.001). The percent of children meeting DGA recommendations on a child-care day varied by DGA food group: fruits (51.4%), grains (50.1%), dairy (42.5%), vegetables (6.5%), whole grains (4.6%), and protein foods (0.1%). Recommended limits on calories from added sugar and solid fats were met by 28.2% and 14.6% of children, respectively. Compared with mean food group intakes during a single child-care day, non-child-care day intakes were similar for fruits and vegetables, lower for dairy and whole grains, and higher for total grains, protein foods, and calories from added sugars and solid fats.ConclusionsAlthough there is room to increase nutrient density inside and outside of child care, intakes on child-care days more closely align to DGAs.     

Dietary Patterns and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in a Large Population-Based Case-Control Study in the San Francisco Bay Area

Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal, and identifying modifiable risk factors could have substantial public health impact. In this population-based case-control study (532 cases, 1701 controls), we used principal component analysis and multivariable unconditional logistic regression models to examine whether a particular dietary pattern was associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, adjusting for other known risk factors. A prudent dietary pattern, characterized by greater intake of vegetables, fruit, fish, poultry, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, was associated with an approximate 50% reduction in pancreatic cancer risk among men [odds ratio (OR) = 0.51, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.31–0.84, P trend = 0.001] and women (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.29–0.90, P trend = 0.04). A Western dietary pattern, characterized by higher intake of red and processed meats, potato chips, sugary beverages, sweets, high fat dairy, eggs, and refined grains, was associated with a 2.4-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer among men (95% CI = 1.3–4.2, P trend = 0.008) but was not associated with risk among women. Among men, those in the upper quintiles of the Western diet and lower quintiles of the prudent diet had a threefold increased risk. Consistent with what has been recommended for several other chronic diseases, consuming a diet rich in plant-based foods, whole grains, and white meat, might reduce risk of pancreatic cancer.     

Food groups and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the knowledge about the relation between intake of 12 major food groups and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Medline (Ovid), Cochrane Central, and Google Scholar for prospective studies investigating the association between whole grains, refined grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, eggs, dairy, fish, red meat, processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) on risk of T2D. Summary relative risks were estimated using a random effects model by contrasting categories, and for linear and non-linear dose–response relationships. Six out of the 12 food-groups showed a significant relation with risk of T2D, three of them a decrease of risk with increasing consumption (whole grains, fruits, and dairy), and three an increase of risk with increasing consumption (red meat, processed meat, and SSB) in the linear dose–response meta-analysis. There was evidence of a non-linear relationship between fruits, vegetables, processed meat, whole grains, and SSB and T2D risk. Optimal consumption of risk-decreasing foods resulted in a 42% reduction, and consumption of risk-increasing foods was associated with a threefold T2D risk, compared to non-consumption. The meta-evidence was graded “low” for legumes and nuts; “moderate” for refined grains, vegetables, fruit, eggs, dairy, and fish; and “high” for processed meat, red meat, whole grains, and SSB. Among the investigated food groups, selecting specific optimal intakes can lead to a considerable change in risk of T2D.     

Dietary Patterns in Puerto Rican and Mexican-American Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. Certain dietary factors have been associated with the risk of breast cancer recurrence, but data in Hispanic survivors is scarce. Objective: to examine dietary patterns and diet quality in two groups of Hispanic breast cancer survivors. Methods: 23 Mexican-American (MA) and 22 Puerto Rican (PR) female breast cancer survivors completed a culturally adapted validated food frequency questionnaire. Intake was standardized per 1000 kcal and compared to US Dietary Guidelines and the DASH-style diet adherence score was calculated. Results: Overweight/obese was 70 % in MA and 91 % in PR. PR consumed diets rich in fruit/100 % fruit juices and beans, while MA diets were high in vegetables, beans, and total grains. Both groups consumed high amounts of starchy vegetables, refined grains, animal protein and calories from solid fats and added sugars but low intakes of whole grains, dairy products and nuts and seeds. DASH scores were relatively low. Conclusion: MA and PR female breast cancer survivors have different dietary patterns but both groups had relatively low diet quality. These groups could benefit from culturally tailored interventions to improve diet quality, which could potentially reduce cancer recurrence. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01504789.     

Dietary intakes in North Carolina child-care centers: are children meeting current recommendations?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether food consumed by children while in center-based child care meets the new MyPyramid food group recommendations for children 2 to 5 years of age. Dietary observation of 117 children from 20 child-care centers throughout North Carolina was conducted. The type and amount of food served to and consumed by children was observed and assessed using Nutrition Data System for Research (NDS-R) software (version 2005, Nutrition Coordinating Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). Portion sizes were then compared to the new MyPyramid food group recommendations to see whether 1/2 to 2/3 (for time spent in full-day child care) of the recommended amounts were consumed. On average, of the five main food groups, children consumed only the 1/2 to 2/3 recommendation for milk. Children also consumed less than 13% of MyPyramid recommendations for whole grains and 7% of MyPyramid recommendations for dark vegetables. Also noteworthy, 50% of milk consumed was whole milk and 75% of the meat consumed was of the high-fat or fried variety. Overall, our data suggest that children are not consuming recommended amounts of whole grains, fruits (excluding 100% fruit juice), or vegetables while attending full-time child care, and are consuming excess amounts of saturated fat and added sugar.     

Nutrition and cancer: the current epidemiological evidence

We have examined the current scientific evidence on the relationship between nutrition and the most frequent tumours in the Spanish population: lung, colorectal, prostate, breast and stomach. Consumption of fruit is negatively associated with cancer of the lung and stomach, possibly with colorectal cancer, but probably not with prostate cancer and breast cancer. Consumption of vegetables probably reduces the risk of colorectal and stomach cancer, but probably is not associated with cancer of the lung, prostate and breast. Consumption of red and processed meat is positively associated with colorectal cancer and probably with stomach cancer. Animal fat is possibly associated with colorectal cancer and probably with prostate and breast cancer. High alcohol intake increases the risk of colorectal and breast cancer, while dairy products and calcium seem to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer. Obesity is a recognised risk factor of colorectal cancer and breast cancer in postmenopausal women, while foods with a high glycaemic index and glycaemic load possibly increase the risk of colorectal and prostate cancer. The relevance of nutrition on the cancer process is evident. Nevertheless important issues remain to be solved and further studies are needed. This accumulative knowledge should be used by public health authorities to develop recommendations and activities to reduce overweight and obesity and to promote healthy dietary habits.     

Barriers and Facilitators for Consumer Adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: The HEALTH Study

The majority of the US population does not meet recommendations for consumption of milk, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables. The goal of our study was to understand barriers and facilitators to adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for four nutrient-rich food groups in fifth-grade children and unrelated adult caregivers across six sites in a multistate study. A total of 281 unrelated adult caregivers (32% African American, 33% European American, and 35% Hispanic American) and 321 children (33% African American, 33% European American, and 34% Hispanic American) participated in 97 Nominal Group Technique sessions. Nominal Group Technique is a qualitative method of data collection that enables a group to generate and prioritize a large number of issues within a structure that gives everyone an equal voice. The core barriers specific to unrelated adult caregivers were lack of meal preparation skills or recipes (whole grains, fruit, vegetables); difficulty in changing eating habits (whole grains, fruit, vegetables), cost (milk, whole grains, fruit, vegetables), lack of knowledge of recommendation/portion/health benefits (milk, vegetables), and taste (milk, whole grains, vegetables). Specific to children, the core barriers were competing foods (ie, soda, junk foods, sugary foods [whole grains, milk, fruit, vegetables]), health concerns (ie, milk allergy/upset stomach [milk]), taste/flavor/smell (milk, whole grains, fruit, vegetables), forget to eat them (vegetables, fruit), and hard to consume or figure out the recommended amount (milk, fruit). For both unrelated adult caregivers and children, reported facilitators closely coincided with the barriers, highlighting modifiable conditions that could help individuals to meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.     

Developing menus to meet current dietary recommendations: Implications and applications

Seven menus that were consistent with the 1989 National Research Council's Recommended Dietary Allowances and the Diet and Health recommendations were developed and evaluated for women ages 25 to 50 years. The menus were compared with current consumption trends using the 1986 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFH-86). Compared with CSFII-86 intakes, the menus provided more food from every group except meats. Processed meats were eliminated, but intake of red meats, which provided essential minerals, was comparable to the CSFII data. It was difficult to meet the RDA for minerals that are provided largely from meat and dairy products without exceeding the Diet and Health recommended protein limit. Minerals were provided by increasing intake of grains and vegetables. Average servings in the menus provided 4 fruit; 4 vegetables, especially dark green; .75 legumes; 2.5 skim and lowfat dairy products; 8 grains, almost exclusively whole grains; 1.5 sweets, mainly sweet spreads; 3 fat, mostly reducedfat products; and 3.5 (ounces) meat.     

Factors Influencing Dietary Intake Frequencies and Nutritional Risk among Community-Residing Older Adults

Abstract

Older adult (OA) dietary practices may be placing them at nutritional risk. This cross-sectional study examined the dietary intake frequencies (DIF) and nutritional risk (NR) using the Dietary Screening Tool (DST) of OA attending community-based nutrition education and physical activity programs. Most were white females aged 60–80 years. The majority (80.1%) were classified as “at NR” or “at possible NR.” Participants had “low” lean protein, dairy, and processed meat DIF and “moderate” whole fruit and juice, total and whole grains, vegetables and added fats, sugars, and sweets DIF. State influenced whole fruit and juice (p?≤?.001) and vegetable (p?=?.021) DIF, age influenced processed meat DIF (p?=?.001), and gender influenced NR (p?=?.006), vegetable (p?=?.022), and processed meat (p?=?.033) DIF. Results indicate that OA participating in lifestyle interventions are at NR. When developing future nutrition education programs, educators should consider sociodemographic factors to promote dairy and protein-rich foods to OA at NR.     

Associations between microalbuminuria and animal foods, plant foods, and dietary patterns in the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND: The balance between the intake of animal and the intake of plant foods may influence renal vascular integrity as reflected by urinary albumin excretion. OBJECTIVE: We assessed cross-sectional associations between urinary albumin excretion and dietary patterns and intake of plant and animal foods. DESIGN: At baseline, diet (food-frequency questionnaire) and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR; spot urine collection) were measured in 5042 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis who were aged 45-84 y and were without clinical cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or macroalbuminuria (sex-adjusted ACR >or= 250). We derived dietary patterns by principal components analysis. We also summed food groups to characterize plant food intake (fruit, fruit juice, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and refined grains), animal food intake (red meat, processed meat, poultry, fish, high-fat dairy, and low-fat dairy), and nondairy animal food intake. RESULTS: After adjustment for multiple demographic and lifestyle confounders, a dietary pattern characterized by high consumption of whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods was associated with 20% lower ACR across quintiles (P for trend = 0.004). Neither total animal nor total plant food intake was associated with ACR. However, greater low-fat dairy consumption was associated with 13% lower ACR across quartiles (P for trend = 0.03). Total nondairy animal food consumption was associated with 11% higher ACR across quintiles (P for trend = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A high intake of low-fat dairy foods and a dietary pattern rich in whole grains, fruit, and low-fat dairy foods were both associated with lower ACR. In contrast, collectively, nondairy animal food intake was positively associated with ACR.     

Foodstuffs and colorectal cancer risk: a review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To assess the relationships between food intake and colorectal cancer risk. METHODS: Systematic review of available prospective studies on dietary intake and colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Twelve out of 15 studies found no significant relationship between vegetable intake and colorectal cancer risk; also, 11 out of 14 studies found no relationship with fruit consumption. Conversely, the combined consumption of vegetables and fruit reduced colorectal cancer risk in three out of six studies, although the relationship was somewhat inconsistent between genders and anatomical localizations. Most studies found no relationship between cancer risk and red meat (15 in 20) or processed meat (seven out of 11) consumption; still, most of the reported relative risks were above unity, suggesting that high consumption of red or processed meat might increase colorectal cancer risk. The consumption of white meat, fish/seafood, dairy products, coffee or tea was mostly unrelated to colorectal cancer risk, although the consumption of smoked or salted fish actually increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: The relationships between dietary intake and colorectal cancer risk might be less important than previously reported. The combined consumption of vegetables and fruit might be protective, whereas excessive consumption of meat or smoked/salted/processed food appears to be deleterious.     

Mediterranean Diet and cancer risk: an open issue

The traditional Mediterranean Diet of the early 1960s meets the characteristics of an anticancer diet defined by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AIRC). A diet rich of whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits, limited in high-calorie foods (foods high in sugar or fat), red meat and foods high in salt, without sugary drinks and processed meat is recommended by the WCRF/AIRC experts to reduce the risk of cancer. The aim of this review was to examine whether Mediterranean Diet is protective or not against cancer risk. Three meta-analyses of cohort studies reported that a high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet significantly reduces the risk of cancer incidence and/or mortality. Nevertheless, the Mediterranean dietary pattern defined in the studies’ part of the meta-analyses has qualitative and/or quantitative differences compared to the Mediterranean Diet of the early 1960s. Therefore, the protective role of the Mediterranean Diet against cancer has not definitely been established. In epidemiological studies, a universal definition of the Mediterranean Diet, possibly the traditional Mediterranean Diet of the early 1960s, could be useful to understand the role of this dietary pattern in cancer prevention.     

Comparison of baseline dietary intake of Hispanic and matched non-Hispanic white breast cancer survivors enrolled in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reported baseline dietary intake of Hispanic and non-Hispanic white breast cancer survivors in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living study, a randomized plant-based dietary intervention clinical trial. DESIGN: Dietary data from 4 days repeated 24-hour recalls within 3 weeks included daily total intake of energy, protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol, total fat, monounsaturated fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, fruit/vegetable servings, carotenoids, alcohol, caffeine, and percentage of energy from protein, carbohydrates, alcohol, and fats. SUBJECTS: One hundred sixty-five Hispanic breast cancer survivors age-matched to 165 non-Hispanic white breast cancer survivors diagnosed with Stage I, II, or IIIA primary operable breast cancer. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Two-sample t tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests to compare dietary intake, and logistic and ordinal logistic regression analyses to examine the association between ethnicity, alcohol, and lycopene consumption, while controlling for place of birth, education, body mass index, and time since diagnosis. RESULTS: Hispanics were more likely to be foreign-born (P<0.001), less educated (P<0.0001) and to consume higher amounts of lycopene (P=0.029), while non-Hispanic whites were more likely to consume alcohol (P=0.001). However, no differences were observed in the average amounts of alcohol consumed or total percents of energy from alcohol. Both groups consumed more than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Being Hispanic remained a significant predictor of lower alcohol use (P=0.004) and higher lycopene consumption (P=0.005) after controlling for place of birth, education, body mass index, and time since diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: There are more similarities than differences in the dietary intake of Hispanic and non-Hispanic white breast cancer survivors in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living study. Further analysis is needed to determine if higher lycopene consumption shown among the Hispanic participants will translate to greater protection against breast cancer recurrence or increased survival.     

Nutrition and physical activity recommendations for cancer survivors in Scotland: Feasibility of a short course to promote behaviour change

More people are living for longer following a cancer diagnosis; however, long‐term survivors are more likely to experience chronic illnesses. Improving their diet and physical activity behaviours may increase survival and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and other non‐communicable diseases. The World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research recommend that cancer survivors aim to be a healthy weight and physically active; eat a diet rich in wholegrains, vegetables, fruits and beans; limit consumption of ‘fast foods’, red and processed meat, sugar‐sweetened drinks and alcohol; and meet nutritional needs through diet alone rather than relying on supplements. Evidence suggests that cancer survivors are receptive to receiving advice and making dietary and physical activity changes, but barriers to improving the diet and being physically active need to be explored and addressed. We collaborated with CLAN Cancer Support (an independent charity) to assess the feasibility of a 2‐day course designed to improve diet and physical activity in cancer survivors in Scotland. Further, it explored the barriers and facilitators that cancer survivors identify in relation to eating a healthy diet and being physically active. The course included presentations, practical activities and group discussions. Initial analysis indicates that factors specific to this population need to be designed into the delivery of the course to enhance recruitment and promote behaviour change. Research then needs to be translated into sustainable support programmes accessible by all cancer survivors. This article describes the rationale behind the study, its design and expected outcomes.