Dietary and Physical Activity Interventions for Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nutritional Science
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Evidence suggests diets low in red and processed meat (RPM) and high in fiber, alongside physical activity (PA), protect against colorectal cancer (CRC) development.
• Limited evidence exists on the impact of lifestyle interventions against CRC recurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a behavioral program's efficacy in improving lifestyle factors for Chinese CRC survivors.
• To assess the impact of dietary and PA interventions on CRC survivors' adherence to health targets and consumption patterns.

Main Methods:

• A 2x2 factorial randomized controlled trial involving 223 CRC patients (mean age 65).
• Participants were assigned to dietary intervention, PA intervention, both, or usual care for 12 months, with assessments every 6 months for 24 months.
• Primary outcomes focused on achieving specific dietary and PA targets; secondary outcomes tracked changes in consumption and activity levels.

Main Results:

• Dietary interventions significantly increased the likelihood of meeting targets for reduced RPM consumption (OR 3.22-4.57) and refined grain (RG) intake (OR 3.13 at 6 months, OR 2.19 at 24 months).
• Significant reductions in weekly RPM (2.49-3.48 servings) and daily RG (0.31-0.5 servings) consumption were observed.
• PA interventions showed a trend towards increased moderate-to-vigorous PA, though not statistically detailed in the abstract.

Conclusions:

• A behavioral program effectively improved dietary habits among Chinese CRC survivors.
• The findings support the integration of lifestyle interventions, particularly dietary changes, into survivorship care for colorectal cancer patients.