Research
Physical function and associations with diet and exercise: Results of a cross-sectional survey among elders with breast or prostate cancer
-
* Corresponding author: Wendy Demark-Wahnefried demar001@mc.duke.edu
1 Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center (DUMC), Durham, USA
2 School of Nursing, DUMC, Durham, USA
3 Program of Cancer Prevention, Detection & Control Research, DUMC, Durham, USA
4 Older Americans Independence Center/Center for Aging & Human Development, DUMC, Durham, USA
5 Department of Medicine, DUMC, Durham, USA
6 Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Medical Center, Durham, USA
7 Department of Biometry and Bioinformatics, DUMC, Durham, USA
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2004, 1:16 doi:10.1186/1479-5868-1-16
Published: 29 October 2004Abstract
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.