Background: Properly balanced diet and exercise are an essential element of healthy living for children and adolescents. Particular attention should be paid to nutrition and physical activity among juniors after cancer treatment, which is one of the most important elements of the convalescence period.
Objective: The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of diet, physical activity of healthy children and adolescents with patients after cancer treatment.
Material and methods: The study involved 60 children and adolescents; 30 healthy juniors and 30 patients after treatment for cancer. An analysis of diets based on a 3-day 24-hour nutrition diary. The questionnaire surveyed collected data about participation and physical activity preferences. Statistical program-Statistica 12.0, published by StatSoft, was used to develop the results.
Results: Both groups were characterized by increased consumption of proteins and carbohydrates. Insufficient fat intake was shown in comparison with the recommended amounts in all study groups. It was observed that in the group of patients after treatment, vitamins B1, A, E and D intake was higher than in their healthy peers. Determinants of the choice of physical activity among children after cancer treatment was pleasure and fun, while among their healthy peers, aesthetic considerations (taking care of appearance).
Conclusions: Children and adolescents after cancer treatmentin a much greater percentage covered of daily intake of nutrients than healthy children, and more willingly spent time on physical activity. Greater interest in physical activity in this group was probably due to previous restrictions related to illness and therapy.
Keywords: children; diet; physical activity; cancer.