The importance of nutrition and physical activity for cancer patients and their caregivers

It is well known that a healthy diet and physical activity are beneficial for cancer survival. But supporting the physical and dietary health of cancer caregivers is just as important and often overlooked. There is considerable evidence showing the benefits of physical activity and a healthy diet for both cancer patients and their caregivers. A newly published study led by researchers from Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions examines the beliefs, behaviors, and challenges related to physical activity and nutrition of cancer patients and their caregivers to inform future development of wellness interventions and to both groups.

Posted in Rehabilitation oncologythe study revealed similarities in the beliefs of cancer patients and their caregivers about the importance of physical activity, as well as the barriers they face while participating in physical activity.

Study participants responded to a survey and interviews about the importance of physical activity in managing stress, but also about caregivers’ tendency to focus on the patient’s activity needs rather than their own. Patient-caregiver pairs reported similar barriers to physical activity, including fatigue and time constraints. The research team noted that the benefit of exercise for managing fatigue and mental health continues to be an important educational interest and need among patients and caregivers.

“Our findings suggest that patient-caregiver pairs should be engaged together in research and interventions because their interactions are instrumental in promoting sustainable lifestyle changes,” said Brandi-Jo Milliron, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition of Science in the College and lead author of the study.

While patients and caregivers found agreement regarding physical activity, dietary priorities of patients and caregivers contrasted in many cases due to different nutrition-related priorities. Caregivers were significantly more likely to pursue weight loss, whereas patients reported trying to maintain or gain weight. Although when the patients taste and appetite decreased due to the treatment, the patient and the caregiver often eats food that is comforting and tasty. The research team noted that interventions for both the patient and caregivers should also provide strategies for maintaining personal nutrition-related goals when faced with conflicting priorities between patients and caregivers.

“Future research is needed to develop dyadic (patient-caregiver) interventions that utilize the influential role each member of the couple has while addressing their unique needs,” Milliron said.

Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D., co-author and professor in the college’s Department of Food and Hospitality Management, added that they found that the needs, priorities and tastes of patients and caregivers differed, but there were commonalities in high levels of stress. fatigue and a tendency to make convenient but not always nutritious choices.

“Our findings highlight the importance of culinary nutrition, which can offer convenient and tasty solutions for individualized needs,” Deutsch said. “In particular, caregivers want to learn culinary techniques, strategies and recipes that are quick and easy.”

Milliron noted that nutrition interventions should focus on overcoming barriers to healthy eating such as fatigue, lack of time, and managing the complex dynamics of caring for someone with cancer, as well as clarifying the evidence to support dietary recommendations for healthy cancer prevention and survival and implementation of these recommendations.

For the mixed-method study, 102 participants (50 cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment and 52 caregivers) completed surveys and in-depth interviews. Surveys collected information on participants’ demographic and personality characteristics, cancer and caregiving characteristics, pre- and post-diagnosis activity and dietary behaviors, and factors that influence these behaviors. In addition, participants were asked about their preferences for physical activity and dietary interventions. The interviews further explored participants’ beliefs, behaviors and challenges related to physical activity and nutrition, and changes since diagnosis. Participants were recruited through a partnership with The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Pennsylvania.

This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Health Research Formulary Fund.