Body fat and poor diet in breast cancer women

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Differences in breast cancer inci- dence suggest a significant role of environmental factors in the aetiology: obesity, central adiposity, excess body fat and some dietary factors have been suggested as risk fac- tors. This pilot study aimed to analyse the pattern of nutritional status, body fat, and the usual dietary intake among women diagnosed with breast cancer, consecu- tively referred to the Radiotherapy Department of the University Hospital Santa Maria. Patients and methods: Throughout 2006, 71 consecu- tive women with breast cancer were included. Evalua- tions: weight (kg) & height (m), determined with a SECA ® floor scale + stadiometer to calculate body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, percentage body fat with bipolar hand-held bio-impedance analysis (BF-306 ® ), Food Frequency Questionnaire validated for the Por- tuguese population to assess the usual dietary intake. Fre- quency analysis and Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate prevalence and associations. Results: Mean age was 60 ± 12 (36-90) years. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most frequent histology (68%), p 88 cm (prevalence analysis: p < 0.04), and 61% of pts had gained weight after diagnosis. Univariate analysis did not show any association between histology, BMI, %body fat and waist circumference; by multivariate analysis there was an association between higher BMI, %body fat & aggressive histologies (p < 0.005). Food frequency analysis showed a low intake of vegetables and wholegrain cereals rich in complex carbo- hydrates (sources of fibre and phytochemicals), of fatty fish & nuts, primary sources of n-3 PUFA's and a high intake of saturated fat; more aggressive histologies were