Self-reported Lifetime Physical Activity and Body Mass Index among Hispanic Women with and without Breast Cancer

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) behavior is beneficial for the prevention and control of breast cancer (BC), the most prevalent and mortal type of cancer among Hispanic woman in Puerto Rico (PR). PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare self-reported lifetime PA behavior and its relation with body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This study is part of a larger on-going population-based case-control study of BC in PR with 146 Hispanic women: 51 with and 95 without BC (age range 30-79 years). Lifetime PA questionnaire inquired about PA in different stages (6-11, 12-13, 14-22, 23-50, 51-64, and 65+ years of age), the duration/day, and intensity. Present PA behavior was also evaluated with one question inquiring about minutes/day of brisk walking. Participants were classified as active or inactive based on the estimated MET-min/week (<600 = inactive, >600 = active). Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the proportion of participants in each category of PA, and an independent t-test to compare BMI between groups. Association between PA behavior and BMI was evaluated with Spearman correlations. RESULTS: The majority of cases (98.7%) and controls (99.5%) were classified as active, with no between stage differences. Domestic PA was the most prevalent and leisure time PA the least prevalent type of PA in both groups; however, cases appear to engage more in leisure time and less in domestic type of PA compared with controls. BMI was higher in the older stages of life (>50 years). No significant association was observed between PA behavior and BMI; however, there was also a tendency for higher BMI among those extremely active based on present walking behavior. CONCLUSION: Results suggest a high level of self-reported PA behavior not associated with BMI among women with and without BC in PR. Self-reported PA behavior must be interpreted with caution.