by Ilaria Trestini, Isabella Sperduti, Alberto Caldart,
Clelia Bonaiuto, Elena Fiorio, Veronica Parolin, Valentina Zambonin, Sara
Zanelli, Daniela Tregnago, Alice Avancini, Marco Cintoni, Sara Pilotto, Maria
Cristina Mele, Antonio Gasbarrini, Giovanni Scambia, Michele Milella, Giampaolo
Tortora, Emilio Bria, Luisa Carbognin
The Breast: August 21, 2021
Purpose
The impact of the adherence to dietary guidelines of
early-stage breast cancer (EBC) patients on body composition changes during
treatment is not entirely defined. This study aimed to evaluate the role of an
evidence-based nutrition educational intervention, according to adherence to
dietary guidelines, in EBC patients.
Methods
This prospective study included EBC patients, candidates for
neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy. Patients received an evidence-based tailored
nutrition educational intervention. The adherence to dietary guidelines,
anthropometric and dietary assessments, and blood glucose and lipid profile
tests were evaluated at baseline and after a 12-months nutritional intervention.
Results
Two hundred and forty-three patients were enrolled. At
baseline, 38.3% and 23.9% of patients were overweight and obese, weight gain
≥5% (compared to 6-months before enrollment) and central obesity were observed
in 47.3% and 52.7% of patients, respectively. Adherence to dietary guidelines
was low (median Med-Diet score: 6 [IQR 4–8]). After the nutritional
intervention (median follow-up: 22 months [range 12–45]), adherence to dietary
guidelines significantly increased (median Med-Diet score: 12 [IQR 8–13]), p < 0.0001).
High adherence to dietary guidelines (defines as Med-Diet score ≥10)
significantly correlated with: 1) overall weight loss ≥5% (21.8% vs.
2.5%, p = 0.003); 2) median BMI drop (from 25.6 kg/m2 to
24.4 kg/m2, p = 0.003); 3) lower prevalence of central
obesity (38.2% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.01); 4) improvement in blood
glucose levels and lipid profile.
Conclusion
This study suggests that an evidence-based tailored
nutrition educational intervention during treatment for EBC significantly
increases overall adherence to dietary guidelines, and it improves both
anthropometric measures and serum metabolic biomarkers in patients with high
adherence.
