Physical function and associations with diet and exercise: Results of a cross-sectional survey among elders with breast or prostate cancer.

Demark-Wahnefried, Wendy

Clipp, Elizabeth C

Morey, Miriam C

Pieper, Carl F

Sloane, Richard

Snyder, Denise Clutter

Cohen, Harvey J

England

2017-06-01T13:27:09Z

2004-10-29

BACKGROUND: Functional decline threatens independent living and is common among individuals diagnosed with cancer, especially those who are elderly. The purpose of this study was to explore whether dietary and exercise practices are associated with physical function status among older cancer survivors. METHODS: Mailed surveys were used to ascertain data on physical function, dietary fat, fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption, and exercise among elderly diagnosed with early stage (I-II) breast (N = 286) or prostate cancer (N = 402) within the past 18 months. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of respondents reported diets with <30% of energy from fat, 20.4% reported F&V intakes of 5+ daily servings, and 44.6% reported regular vigorous exercise. Significant, independent associations were found between physical functioning and reported dietary fat intake, F&V consumption, and exercise. A simultaneous multiple regression model controlled for age, race, gender, time since diagnosis and concurrent health behaviors yielded the following estimates: (1) 0.2 increase in the SF-36 physical function subscale (PFS) score with each reported 1% decrease in percent energy from fat (p < .0001); (2) 0.9 increase in the SF-36 PFS score for each reported serving of F&V/day (p = .0049); and (3) 15.4 increase in the SF-36 PFS score with a positive response for regular vigorous exercise (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this cross-sectional survey suggest that regular vigorous exercise and consumption of diets low in fat and rich in F&Vs are associated with higher levels of physical functioning among older cancer survivors. Interventions that promote healthful lifestyle change may deliver considerable benefit within this ever increasing and vulnerable population.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15516261

1479-5868-1-16

1479-5868

https://hdl.handle.net/10161/14616

eng

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

10.1186/1479-5868-1-16

Physical function and associations with diet and exercise: Results of a cross-sectional survey among elders with breast or prostate cancer.

Journal article

Pieper, Carl F|0000-0003-4809-1725

Snyder, Denise Clutter|0000-0003-1160-7433

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15516261

16

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Basic Science Departments

Biostatistics & Bioinformatics

Center for Population Health & Aging

Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development

Clinical Science Departments

Duke

Duke Cancer Institute

Duke Population Research Institute

Faculty

Institutes and Centers

Medicine

Medicine, Geriatrics

Sanford School of Public Policy

School of Medicine

Published online

1