Abstract
Aim: In Saudi Arabia, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing. Lifestyle modification, including diet and physical activity, is as important as the standard procedure of colonoscopy screening in reducing CRC development. I explored the dietary intake, physical activity, and selected nutritional biomarkers in Saudi patients with colorectal polyps, a precursor of CRC. Methods: Thirty polypectomy patients (aged 35–84 years) were recruited from an endoscopy unit at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Demographic, anthropometric, physical activity, and food frequency data were collected. Plasma C-reactive protein, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, and folate levels were measured. Results: The median body mass index (BMI) of the patients was within the overweight cut-off range. The median consumption of carbohydrate and protein was within the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Median fat consumption was above the RDA, while median fiber intake was below the RDA. Patients met the recommended servings/day of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and protein but exceeded the recommended intake of fats and sweets. Most patients were non-active, with an inadequate level of serum vitamin D. Conclusion: We observed several risk factors previously associated with CRC, including low levels of physical activity, serum vitamin D, and fiber intake, and high BMI and fat intake among polypectomy patients.
Highlights
Worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and one of the most common causes of cancer-related death [1]
We explored the dietary risk factors related to colorectal cancer, physical activity, and selected nutritional biomarkers of Saudi patients with colorectal polyps, a precursor of CRC
CRC risk increased further with a body mass index (BMI) >27 kg/m2, with a stronger association for men than for women [18]. These findings suggest that maintaining a healthy weight could decrease the risk of colorectal adenoma and CRC
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and one of the most common causes of cancer-related death [1]. In Saudi Arabia, CRC is the most common cancer in men and the second most common in women, after breast cancer [2]. Previous research reported a number of CRC risk factors, including genetics, ageing, and environmental factors, such as smoking, dietary habits, obesity, and physical inactivity [4,5]. Comprehensive prevention and treatment strategies, which involve a combination of secondary prevention through surveillance, and primary prevention through lifestyle modification, such as diet and physical activity, are reported to reduce the prevalence of colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality [8,9,10]
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