Akbulut, Gamze Gazi Üniversitesi - Faculty of Health Sciences - Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Turkey , Yalınca, Rabia Famagusta Hospital - Department of Dietetics, Turkey , Ersoy, Gülgün Hacettepe University - Faculty of Health Sciences - Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Turkey

Assessment of food consumption frequency and physical activity level in cancer patients: A pilot study

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Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the food consumption frequency and physical activity level in cancer patients treated in Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital, in Ankara/Turkey. Methods. We have randomly selected 60 (35 men, 25 women) cancer patients between the ages of 16-77 years. The study was carried out using a “face to face interview technique”. The patients were assessed for their physical activity level, number of main meals and snacks consumed daily, amount of drinking water in a day and food consumption frequency. Results. The mean age of the patients included in the study was found 52.2±2.1 years. Body mass index (BMI) of patients ranged from 14.0- 43.3 kg/m2 and mean BMI was found as 23.8±0.9 kg/m2 for men and 26.7±1.3 kg/m2 for women. The most common cancer type was found to be lung cancer among men and breast cancer among women related to the type of cancer diagnosis. According to the evaluation of meal skipping, it has been found that half of the patients do not skip meals, 40.0% always skip meals and 10.0% sometimes skip meals. It has been shown that decreased appetite was the most important cause of skipping meals. The frequency of consumption of meat products (salami, sausage, etc.) have decreased after the diagnosis in the patients. It has been observed a significant increase in the frequency of consumption of oilseeds (walnut, hazelnut) after diagnosis in the patients. When physical activity status of the patients was asked, 30.0% of them have been reported to walk daily or every other day or three times per week. The mean duration of daily walking was found 30.4±3.9 minutes. Conclusion. In this present study, it has been seen that both male and female patients have tried to give up improper eating habits after diagnosis. Healthy nutrition and regular physical activity are important for the improvement of the life quality of the cancer patients.

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Nutrition , physical activity , cancer , food consumption frequency

Cumhuriyet Medical Journal

412