Consumption of low-fat dairy products and energy and protein intake in cancer patients at risk of malnutrition

Nutr Cancer. 2015;67(1):191-5. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2015.967874. Epub 2014 Nov 20.

Abstract

Current nutritional guidelines encourage the reduction of fat intake from animal sources like dairy products. The aim was to determine whether the consumption of low-fat dairy is related to poorer dietary intake and nutritional status in cancer patients at risk of malnutrition. This cross-sectional included patients with solid or hematological malignancies at risk of malnutrition. Nutritional status was studied using Subjective Global Assessment, anthropometry, and grip strength. Dietary intake was evaluated with a 24-h recall and dairy consumption with a structured questionnaire. Seventy-four patients were recruited; 71.6% males of 64.8 yr, most with gastrointestinal malignancies. Only 37.8% consumed whole milk, and 61.4% consumed whole yogurt. Reasons for consumption of low-fat dairies were healthy diet (58.0%), hypercholesterolemia (20.0%), and digestive intolerance (10.0%). There were similar rates of malnutrition according the type of dairy (whole 60.9% vs. low-fat 66.7%, P = 0.640). Low-fat dairies were related to a reduction in energy (whole 1980.1 kcal vs. low-fat 1480.9, P = 0.007) and protein intake (whole 86.0 g vs. low-fat 63.0 g, P = 0.030).

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dairy Products* / adverse effects
  • Diet, Fat-Restricted / adverse effects*
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Energy Intake*
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology
  • Malnutrition / etiology
  • Malnutrition / prevention & control*
  • Middle Aged
  • Milk / adverse effects
  • Nutrition Policy
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / epidemiology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / etiology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / prevention & control*
  • Patient Compliance
  • Risk
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Yogurt / adverse effects

Substances

  • Dietary Proteins