Authors

Lindsey A. Ramirez, Augusta University
Yunmi Chung, Augusta University
Wonsuk Yoo, Augusta University
Brittney Fontenot, Augusta UniversityFollow
Benjamin E. Ansa, Augusta UniversityFollow
Mary S. Whitehead, Augusta University
Selina A. Smith, Augusta University

Determinants of adherence to nutrition- related cancer prevention guidelines among African American breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Background: Mortality rate for breast cancer is higher among African American (AA) women than for women of other racial/ethnic groups. Obesity, also higher among AA women, may increase the risk of breast cancer development and recurrence. Lifestyle factors such as healthy nutrition can reduce the rate of obesity and breast cancer. This study examined the determinants of adherence to nutrition-related cancer prevention guidelines among AA breast cancer survivors.

Methods: AA breast cancer survivors (n=240) were recruited from a breast cancer support group to complete a lifestyle assessment tool for this cross-sectional study. Chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between adherence to nutrition-related cancer prevention guidelines and potential predictors of adherence.

Results: Majority of the survivors met the guideline for red and processed meat (n=191, 83.4%), but did not meet the guideline for fruits and vegetables (n=189, 80.4%). For survivors with annual household incomes < $25,000, the odds of meeting or partially meeting the guideline for fruits and vegetables was 75.4% less than for participants with incomes > $50,000 (OR= 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.80). Poor physical functioning (OR= 38.48, 95% CI: 2.26, 656.58), sleep disturbances (OR= 60.84, 95% CI: 1.61, 2296.02), and income > $50,000 (OR= 51.02, 95% CI: 1.13, 2311.70) were associated with meeting the guideline for red and processed meat.

Conclusions: Many AA breast cancer survivors are not meeting the nutrition-related cancer prevention guidelines. For this population, more interventions that enhance access to and consumption of healthy diets are needed.

First Page

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Last Page

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Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Ramirez, Lindsey A.; Chung, Yunmi; Yoo, Wonsuk; Fontenot, Brittney; Ansa, Benjamin E.; Whitehead, Mary S.; and Smith, Selina A. (2016) "Determinants of adherence to nutrition- related cancer prevention guidelines among African American breast cancer survivors," Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association: Vol. 6: No. 5, Article 6.
DOI: 10.21633/jgpha.6.2s06
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jgpha/vol6/iss5/6