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

Abstract

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.

Acknowledgment

The authors would also like to thank Patrick Bhairosing, clinical librarian at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek-The Netherlands Cancer institute for assisting in the literature search.

Disclosure Statement

The authors indicated no potential conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Dutch Cancer Society/Alpe D’HuZes (VUL 2011-5234).