Abstract
This study aims to describe the feasibility of a nutritional intervention that promotes healthy eating habits early after cancer pediatric diagnosis in patients and their parents. Participants were recruited 4 to 12 weeks after cancer diagnosis as part of the VIE study. The one-year nutritional intervention included an initial evaluation and 6 follow-up visits every 2 months with a registered dietician. The feasibility assessment included rates of retention, participation, attendance, completion of study measures, and participants’ engagement. A preliminary evaluation of the intervention’s impact on the participants’ dietary intakes was conducted. A total of 62 participants were included in the study (51.6% male, mean age = 8.5 years, mean time since diagnosis = 13.2 weeks). The retention and attendance rates were 72.6% and 71.3%, respectively. Attendance to follow-up visits declined over time, from 83.9% to 48.9%. A majority of participants had high participation (50.8%) and high engagement (56.4%). Measures of body-mass-index or weight-for-length ratio and dietary 24-h recalls were the procedures with the highest completion rates. Participants with refractory disease or relapse were less likely to complete the intervention. Post-intervention, participants (n = 21) had a lower sodium intake compared to the initial evaluation. These results suggest that a nutritional intervention that involves patients and parents early after a pediatric cancer diagnosis is feasible.
Highlights
In Canada, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease in children and adolescents despite an almost 85% survival after 5 years [1,2]
For 15 patients (10.2%), authorization from the medical team could not be obtained before the limit of the recruitment period (12 weeks after diagnosis)
One patient died before the study could be presented
Summary
In Canada, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease in children and adolescents despite an almost 85% survival after 5 years [1,2]. It is recommended that CM parameters be closely monitored in children and adolescents who have been treated for cancer. Both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Children’s Oncology. Group recommend the screening of blood pressure, blood lipids, glucose metabolism parameters, and body weight at the end of cancer treatment and to monitor their evolution yearly [8,9]. Like the general population, better healthy eating habits in CCS have been associated with better body fat parameters and CM health [10–12]. Therapeutic interventions for CCS presenting CM complications such as high body mass index (BMI), high blood pressure, and high LDL-C include the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits [8]
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