A culturally specific dietary plan to manage weight gain among African American breast cancer survivors: a feasibility study

Nutr Health. 2012 Apr;21(2):97-105. doi: 10.1177/0260106012459938. Epub 2012 Nov 7.

Abstract

Breast cancer survival rates are lower in African Americans (AAs) than in Caucasians, owing in part to a higher prevalence of obesity in the former, which increases the risk of recurrence and mortality. The Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS) found that Caucasian women who followed a low-fat eating plan experienced a lower rate of cancer recurrence than women who maintained their usual diets. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a WINS plan tailored to the cultural needs of AA breast cancer survivors. This feasibility pilot study was conducted at a university National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center outpatient clinic with AA breast cancer survivors. The culturally specific WINS (WINS-c) plan included eight individual counseling sessions, five educational group meetings, and follow-up telephone calls over a 1-year period. Outcome measures included dietary fat, triglyceride, insulin and glucose levels, and fruit and vegetable intake. Participants (n = 8) had a mean age of 61.1 years (standard error of the mean (SEM) 3.1 years) and a mean BMI of 32 kg/m(2) (SEM 4.25 kg/m)(2). Baseline daily fat consumption decreased from 64.6 g (range 36.8-119.6g) to 44.0 g (21.6-73.4g) at 52 weeks (p = 0.07). Mean daily consumption of fruits and vegetables increased by 36% and 15%, respectively. Mean triglyceride levels decreased at 12 months (p < 0.05). Sustained hyperinsulinemia was noted in most participants, including those without diabetes. Mean calcium and vitamin D consumption decreased over the 1-year study period. In AA breast cancer survivors, the WINS-c program resulted in a trend toward reduced fat consumption and may represent a sustainable approach in this population for improvement of diet quality after breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Black or African American
  • Blood Glucose
  • Body Mass Index
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood
  • Breast Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Counseling / methods
  • Culture
  • Diet, Fat-Restricted / methods*
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Feeding Behavior / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fruit
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Survivors*
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vegetables
  • Weight Gain*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Dietary Fats
  • Insulin
  • Triglycerides