TY - JOUR
T1 - Health-related quality of life, lifestyle behaviors, and intervention preferences of survivors of childhood cancer
AU - Badr, Hoda
AU - Chandra, Joya
AU - Paxton, Raheem J.
AU - Ater, Joann L.
AU - Urbauer, Diana
AU - Cruz, Cody Scott
AU - Demark-Wahnefried, Wendy
N1 - Funding Information:
Acknowledgments This research was supported in part by a National Cancer Institute grant (R03CA136537) awarded to Dr. Badr and by a generous donation from the Santa’s Elves Fund at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center awarded to Drs. Demark-Wahnefried, Chandra, and Ater. The authors would like to thank Angela Xu, Cody Cruz, Karen Basen-Engquist, Martha Askins, and Michael Rytting for their input on the project.
PY - 2013/12
Y1 - 2013/12
N2 - Purpose: Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at increased risk for poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and chronic health conditions-both of which can be exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Developing a clearer understanding of the associations between HRQOL, lifestyle behaviors, and medical and demographic variables (e.g., age/developmental stage at time of diagnosis) is an important step toward developing more targeted behavioral interventions for this population. Method: Cross-sectional questionnaires were completed by 170 CCSs who were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, sarcoma, or a cancer of the central nervous system (CNS) and treated at a comprehensive cancer center between 1992 and 2007. Questionnaires addressed weight status, lifestyle behaviors, aspects of HRQOL, and intervention preferences. Results: Adolescent and young adult survivors (AYAs) and survivors of CNS tumors or lymphoma reported significantly (p<.05) poorer HRQOL across multiple domains compared to those diagnosed at an earlier age, survivors of leukemia or sarcoma, and healthy populations. A significant proportion also failed to meet national recommendations for dietary intakes (39-94 %) and physical activity (65 %). Female survivors reported poorer physical functioning and consumed less dietary fiber and fruits and vegetables than did male survivors. They also expressed the strongest interest in participating in diet and exercise interventions. Conclusion: Findings support the premise that females, AYAs, and survivors of cancers of the CNS or lymphoma are "at risk" subgroups within the CCS population for poor dietary practices, sedentary behaviors, and poor HRQOL. Future research should focus on developing diet and PA interventions to improve HRQOL that target these groups. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Greater consideration of the role of gender, developmental stage, and the HRQOL challenges facing CCSs may help researchers to develop targeted behavioral interventions for those who stand to benefit the most.
AB - Purpose: Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at increased risk for poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and chronic health conditions-both of which can be exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Developing a clearer understanding of the associations between HRQOL, lifestyle behaviors, and medical and demographic variables (e.g., age/developmental stage at time of diagnosis) is an important step toward developing more targeted behavioral interventions for this population. Method: Cross-sectional questionnaires were completed by 170 CCSs who were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, sarcoma, or a cancer of the central nervous system (CNS) and treated at a comprehensive cancer center between 1992 and 2007. Questionnaires addressed weight status, lifestyle behaviors, aspects of HRQOL, and intervention preferences. Results: Adolescent and young adult survivors (AYAs) and survivors of CNS tumors or lymphoma reported significantly (p<.05) poorer HRQOL across multiple domains compared to those diagnosed at an earlier age, survivors of leukemia or sarcoma, and healthy populations. A significant proportion also failed to meet national recommendations for dietary intakes (39-94 %) and physical activity (65 %). Female survivors reported poorer physical functioning and consumed less dietary fiber and fruits and vegetables than did male survivors. They also expressed the strongest interest in participating in diet and exercise interventions. Conclusion: Findings support the premise that females, AYAs, and survivors of cancers of the CNS or lymphoma are "at risk" subgroups within the CCS population for poor dietary practices, sedentary behaviors, and poor HRQOL. Future research should focus on developing diet and PA interventions to improve HRQOL that target these groups. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Greater consideration of the role of gender, developmental stage, and the HRQOL challenges facing CCSs may help researchers to develop targeted behavioral interventions for those who stand to benefit the most.
KW - Childhood cancer
KW - Diet
KW - Health-related quality of life
KW - Intervention preferences
KW - Physical activity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84888245842&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11764-013-0289-3
DO - 10.1007/s11764-013-0289-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 23749663
AN - SCOPUS:84888245842
SN - 1932-2259
VL - 7
SP - 523
EP - 534
JO - Journal of Cancer Survivorship
JF - Journal of Cancer Survivorship
IS - 4
ER -