Authors

Selina A. Smith, Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University
Mechelle D. Claridy, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of MedicineFollow
Mary S. Whitehead, SISTAAH Talk Breast Cancer Support Group
Joyce Q. Sheats, Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University
Wonsuk Yoo, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University
Ernest Alema-Mensah, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of MedicineFollow
Benjamin E. Ansa, Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta UniversityFollow
Ronald L. Braithwaite, Department of Family Medicine, Morehouse School of MedicineFollow

Factors Associated With Body Mass Index Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Background: Weight gain after diagnosis and treatment is common among breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Little information exists regarding associations between body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle factors and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among African American (AA) BCSs. The present study sought to determine associations between BMI, dietary intake, and physical activity as lifestyle modification strategies and HR-QoL among AA BCSs.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study, a lifestyle assessment tool was administered to 195 AA BCSs. Possible predictor variables included socio-demographic and medical characteristics, dietary intake and physical activity patterns, and physical health. The outcome variable was BMI.

Results: Many BCSs (63%) had BMIs ≥25 Kg/M2 and presented with stage I cancer (41%) at diagnosis. Among those presenting with late-stage cancer (IIIA, IIIB, IV), 76% were overweight or obese (p=0.0008). Eighty-four percent reported excellent-to-good physical health (p=0.0499) and were less likely to have higher BMIs compared to those reporting fair-to-poor physical health (OR=0.616 [CI=0.192-1.978]). Responders with graduate level education were more likely to have healthy body weights than those attaining high school or less educational levels (OR=2.379 [CI=0.617-9.166]).

Conclusions: Most AA BCSs surveyed were overweight or obese, did not engage in recommended physical activity levels and failed to consume diets linked to breast cancer prevention. Interventions are needed to promote weight loss, improve dietary intake, and enhance physical activity among AA BCSs.

First Page

259

Last Page

265

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Smith, Selina A.; Claridy, Mechelle D.; Whitehead, Mary S.; Sheats, Joyce Q.; Yoo, Wonsuk; Alema-Mensah, Ernest; Ansa, Benjamin E.; and Braithwaite, Ronald L. (2016) "Factors Associated With Body Mass Index Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors," Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association: Vol. 5: No. 3, Article 10.
DOI: 10.20429/jgpha.2016.050310
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jgpha/vol5/iss3/10