Meal Skipping Research Articles

Demographic Characteristics and Dietary Pattern of the Elderly in Ondo State, Nigeria

Objective: To investigate the demographic characteristics and dietary patterns of elderly adults (>60 years) in Ondo State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a random sampling of 400 elderly individuals (>60 years) living in Ondo State, Nigeria. Data on demographic and non-demographic variable characteristics, including food habits, dietary patterns and food frequency, were collected using an open-ended and structured questionnaire. Results: Most individuals aged 60‐69 years were married, with fewer than 25% having primary education and the majority of the remainder having no formal education. Most were employed in farming and their income was low (<200 USD per month). About 80% ate three meals daily, 25% skipped meals, and 39% avoid certain foods and 87% had favorite food which relates significantly with gender ( χ 2 =7.2; p<0.05) marital status (χ 2 =5.7; p<0.05) and health (rate of falling sick). Dietary pattern was significantly associated with body ailments ( χ 2 =51.9; p<0.05). Certain habits, such as alcohol ingestion, influenced the number of meals ( χ 2 =10; p<0.05). Memory loss was significantly associated with skipping meals ( χ 2 =7.2; p<0.05), whereas depression was significantly associated with the number of meals ( χ 2 =6.2; p<0.05). A logistic regression model found that educational level, occupation and gender were significant independent predictors of

Dietary behavior and nutritional status among Chinese female college students residing in Korea

The purpose of this study was to analyze the nutritional status of Chinese female college students in Korea, and to investigate changes in their dietary behavior after residing in Korea. The subjects included 114 Chinese female college students currently studying in Korea. General characteristics and dietary behaviors before and after residing in Korea were investigated. Daily nutrients and food intake were assessed using a one-day 24-hour recall. Consumption of most nutrients, namely calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin B 2 , vitamin C, and folate was estimated to fall below the EAR for the Korean population. The proportions of subjects whose intake were estimated below the EAR for folate, calcium, vitamin B 2 , iron, zinc, and vitamin C were 93.0%, 71.9%, 66.7%, 65.8%, 65.8%, and 63.2%, respectively. In the current study, the dietary behavior scores fell significantly after Chinese students immigrated to Korea (p ＜ 0.001); increased frequency of meal skipping, less consumption of fruits and vegetables, irregular meal pattern, and imbalanced diet were some of the significant changes among Chinese students before and after residing in Korea. In addition, consumption of most nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B group, vitamin C, and folate in the Worsened Group was significantly lower, compared with the No Change Group (p ＜ 0.05). According to the changes in dietary behaviors, consumption of most nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B group, vitamin C, and folate in the Worsened Group was significantly lower than in the No Change Group (p ＜ 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicated that Chinese students practiced more unhealthy dietary behaviors after residing in Korea and Chinese students residing in Korea showed poor nutrient-based diet quality. Conduct of a follow-up study using blood profile tests is needed in order to assess the nutritional status of Chinese students. These results would be used in planning of a nutritional surveillance program for Chinese students. (Korean J Nutr 2013; 46(2): 177 ~ 185)

Alcohol Consumption Pattern of Habitual Drinkers in Nigeria

This study aimed at investigating the pattern of alcohol consumption and food intake of habitual alcohol drinkers in Umuahia, Abia state Nigeria. Study design comprised naturalistic observation of 150 male adult drinkers in drinking clubs and self-administered questionnaires. One bottle of beer was regarded as 1 to 2 units alcohol; 2 to 3 bottles as 3 to 5 units; more than 3 bottles as more than 5 units alcohol. Majority of the participants reported heavy drinking pattern: 69.3% consumed 3 to 5 units daily whereas only 13.3% consumed fewer than 2 units (less than one bottle of beer) on daily basis. Data obtained on their food habits questions showed very low intake of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as high-frequency (68.7%) of meal skipping particularly breakfast. These findings indicated the need for intensified nutrition education and enlightenment programs toward alcohol consumers for a healthy eating lifestyle and prevention of health hazards.

Eating Habits among the Adolescents in Schools and Junior Colleges of Pune City

Adolescence is a period when peer pressure can affect teenage eating behaviour and they may start skipping meals or possibly under eating or over eating. The present study was therefore conducted to assess the eating habits among the adolescents (13 years-19 years) in selected Schools and Junior Colleges of Pune City. With the help of data available it was possible to assess the risk of getting eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa among these adolescents. It was found that among study subjects, 81 percent students were practicing unhealthy or faulty eating behaviour, thus requiring serious attention.

Breakfast is important

—Stephen R. Daniels, MD, PhD There has been longstanding concern that skippingmeals may be a potential contributor to the development of obesity. This is particularly true for children and adolescents who skip breakfast. In the clinical setting, it is common to hear patients with obesity report that they never eat breakfast. This seems to be associated with greater hunger and greater caloric consumption later in the day. In this issue of The Journal, Freitas J unior et al report on glucose and lipid levels in obese children and adolescents in Brazil. The authors found that skipping breakfast was associated with higher fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with those who did not skip breakfast. These findings suggest that skipping breakfast may havemetabolic implications beyond increased hunger. Counseling about lifestyle interventions should include emphasis on the importance of not skippingmeals and the fact that skipping meals is not a good behavioral strategy to reduce calorie intake. Article page 871<

Technosphere Insulin Effectively Controls Postprandial Glycemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This pilot trial was designed to determine if an optimal dose of Technosphere(®) insulin (TI) inhalation powder (MannKind Corp., Valencia, CA) could be used regardless of variation in meal carbohydrate (CHO) content. In total, eight subjects (seven men, one woman) with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. Subjects underwent dose optimization meal challenge (MC) visits (100% CHO) and MCs with varied CHO meal contents (50%, 200%, and 0% calculated CHOs). Primary end point was change in postprandial glucose (PPG) excursions. Baseline demographics were 60±7 years of age, diabetes duration of 12.3±4.27 years, hemoglobin A1c (A1C) of 7.82±1.04%, and body mass index of 31.3±5.48 kg/m(2). Maximum mean PPG excursions for the nominal 100% CHO meals were -13±15 mg/dL for breakfast (B) and -14±15 mg/dL for lunch (L), similar to those after 50% CHO meals (B, -17±16 mg/dL; L, +14±10 mg/dL). The largest excursions occurred during 200% CHO meals and remained below American Diabetes Association targets (B, +19±16 mg/dL; L, +32±29 mg/dL). During 15 of the MCs, subjects took their usual TI dose and then had no meal (0% CHO). For the 0% CHO MCs, the largest mean PPG excursion were -33±9 mg/dL at 60 min (B) and -31±10 mg/dL at 60 and 90 min (L). Mean A1C dropped from 7.82±1.04% at the Week 1 visit to 6.18±0.46% (P=0.00091) at the Week 19 visit. Results in eight patients suggest that once an optimal dose of TI is determined, type 2 diabetes patients can ingest meals with a wide range of CHO content or even skip meals without severe hypoglycemia. During this pilot study TI therapy improved A1C by -1.63% (P=0.00091) during 19 weeks of treatment.

Early nocturnal meal skipping alters the peripheral clock and increases lipogenesis in mice

BackgroundIn humans, skipping meals, especially breakfast, has been associated with obesity and other related syndromes. Recent studies in rodents suggest that fasting and feeding times are potential factors that affect the peripheral circadian clocks and metabolism. However, the link between fasting and obesity in rodents has yet to be fully demonstrated.MethodWe conducted early nocturnal fasting (ENF) from zeitgeber time (ZT) 12 to 18 for 4 consecutive days in C57B6 mice. The first set of experiments was performed under ad libitum conditions, where ENF and free-feeding (FF) control groups were compared. The second set was performed under isocaloric adjustment by restricting the diet to 90% of the basal intake of ENF mice. Calorie-restricted ENF (ENF-CR) mice were then compared with isocaloric controls (IC-control). Body weight, food intake, core body temperature, activity, adiposity, and clock-related gene expression levels in the liver and adipose tissues were investigated. A stable isotopic analysis was also conducted to estimate de novo lipogenesis fluxes.Results In the ad libitum condition, the ENF mice ate more during the day, increased their overall daily food intake and gained more weight than FF-control mice. The amplitude of the body core temperature rhythm in ENF mice was also lower than in the FF-controls. Under isocaloric conditions, ENF-CR attenuated the CR-induced body weight loss, compared with the IC-control. ENF-CR also altered the acrophase time of the expression of the clock genes, which is associated with time-shift of genes involved in lipid metabolism and increased lipogenesis, compared with the IC-control.ConclusionsENF in nocturnal mice disturbs the peripheral clock and increases de novo lipid synthesis and results in a predisposition to obesity.

Primary dysmenorrhea: prevalence in adolescent population of Tbilisi, Georgia and risk factors

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in female adolescents living in Tbilisi, Georgia; find possible risk factors and establish an association, if any, with nutrition and sleep hygiene. A cross-sectional study was used. A retrospective case control study was used to identify risk factors. A total of 2561 women consented to participate in the research. 431 participants were included in the case-control study. Detailed questionnaire included: reproductive history, demographic features, menstrual pattern, severity of dysmenorrhea and associated symptoms; information about nutrition and sleep hygiene. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 52.07%. Due to pain, 69.78% reported frequent school absenteeism. The risk of dysmenorrhea in students who had a family history of dysmenorrhea was approximately 6 times higher than in students with no prior history. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was significantly higher among smokers compared with non-smokers 3.99% vs. 0.68% (p=.0.05 OR:6.102). Those women reporting an increased intake of sugar reported a marked increase of dysmenorrhea compared to women reporting no daily sugar intake (55.61% vs. 44.39%, p=.0023 LR:0.0002). However, alcohol, family atmosphere and nationality showed no correlation with dysmenorrhea. Our study revealed two most important risk factors of dysmenorrhea: meal skipping 59.78% vs. 27.03%, p=.00000 LR: 0.00000 OR:4.014 and sleep hygiene-receiving less sleep 38.77% vs. 19.59%, p=0.000055 LR: 0.000036 OR:2.598. Primary dysmenorrhea is a common problem in the adolescent population of Tbilisi Geogia. It adversely affects their educational performance. Meal skipping and sleep quantity are associated with dysmenorrhea and may cause other reproductive dysfunctions.

Relationship of College Students' Residence to Frequency of Meal Skipping and Snacking Pattern

Relationship of College Students' Residence to Frequency of Meal Skipping and Snacking Pattern

Self-Monitoring and Eating-Related Behaviors Are Associated with 12-Month Weight Loss in Postmenopausal Overweight-to-Obese Women

Lifestyle-based interventions, which typically promote various behavior modification strategies, can serve as a setting for evaluating specific behaviors and strategies thought to promote or hinder weight loss. The aim of our study was to test the associations of self-monitoring (ie, self-weighing and food journal completion) and eating-related (ie, dietary intake, diet-related weight-control strategies, and meal patterns) behaviors with weight loss in a sample of postmenopausal overweight-to-obese women enrolled in a 12-month dietary weight loss intervention. Changes in body weight and adoption of self-monitoring and eating-related behaviors were assessed in 123 participants. Generalized linear models tested associations of these behaviors with 12-month weight change after adjusting for potential confounders. Mean percent weight loss was 10.7%. In the final model, completing more food journals was associated with a greater percent weight loss (interquartile range 3.7% greater weight loss; P<0.0001), whereas skipping meals (4.3% lower weight loss; P<0.05) and eating out for lunch (at least once a week, 2.5% lower weight loss; P<0.01) were associated with a lower amount of weight loss. These findings suggest that a greater focus on dietary self-monitoring, home-prepared meals, and consuming meals at regular intervals may improve 12-month weight loss among postmenopausal women enrolled in a dietary weight loss intervention.

Who Pays? Cost-Sharing, Tradeoffs, and the Physicians’ Role in Decision Making

Who Pays? Cost-Sharing, Tradeoffs, and the Physicians’ Role in Decision Making

The Association between Skipping Breakfast and Biochemical Variables in Sedentary Obese Children and Adolescents

To investigate the relationship between skipping meals and biochemical variables in obese children and adolescents. The sample was composed of 174 obese children and adolescents, aged between 6 and 16 years (80 male and 94 female). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile were measured after 12 hours fasting. The frequency of skipping breakfast, lunch, or dinner was assessed through a face-to-face interview carried out with the parents. The prevalence of eating breakfast daily was low in boys (47.5%) and girls (44.7%). A higher frequency of eating breakfast was negatively correlated with glucose (r = -0.16; P = .026), triglycerides (r = -0.19; P = .011), and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.21; P = .005). In the multivariate model, the weekly frequency of eating breakfast remained negatively associated with glucose (β = -0.975; P = .017), triglycerides (β = -7.792; P = .017), and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = -1.870; P = .009) independent of age, sex, trunk fatness, and parents' education. Skipping meals, mainly breakfast, is associated with glucose and lipid levels in obese children and adolescents.

The Attitudes and Patterns of Eating (APE) Questionnaire: Development and factor analysis in a U.S. adolescent community sample

This paper describes the creation and demonstrates the internal consistency of the Attitudes and Patterns of Eating (APE) Questionnaire, English version, which assesses adolescent food beliefs and eating habits and can be used for comparative studies on various cultures and lifestyles. The questionnaire is intended for use in a study comparing French and U.S. adolescents, the details of which will be presented in a future article. A research team composed of French and American researchers observed eating behaviors in community samples from each country and reviewed previous studies comparing Europe and North America regarding eating attitudes/practices. Common eating-related themes were identified and corresponding questionnaire items were constructed, then a group of U.S. high school students (N=1230) was administered the questionnaire. A principal components analysis (PCA) identified 5 components: "Eating Diet/Light Foods," "Unhealthy/Increased Eating," "Homemade Meals," "Skipping Meals" and "Healthy Eating". The testing and factor analysis of the APE (English) Questionnaire demonstrated its internal consistency. Further validity and reliability studies will be needed to complete the global validation process for both the French and English versions.

Maternal and best friends’ influences on meal-skipping behaviours

Skipping meals is particularly common during adolescence and can have a detrimental effect on multiple aspects of adolescent health. Understanding the correlates of meal-skipping behaviours is important for the design of nutrition interventions. The present study examined maternal and best friends' influences on adolescent meal-skipping behaviours. Frequency of skipping breakfast, lunch and dinner was assessed using a Web-based survey completed by 3001 adolescent boys and girls from years 7 and 9 of secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. Perceived best friend and maternal meal skipping, modelling of healthy eating (eating healthy food, limiting junk food, eating fruit and vegetables) and weight watching were assessed. Best friend and maternal factors were differentially associated with meal-skipping behaviours. For example, boys and girls who perceived that their best friend often skipped meals were more likely to skip lunch (OR=2·01, 95% CI 1·33, 3·04 and OR=1·93, 95% CI 1·41, 2·65; P<0·001). Boys and girls who perceived that their mother often skipped meals were more likely to skip breakfast (OR=1·48, 95% CI 1·01, 2·15; P<0·05 and OR=1·93, 95% CI 1·42, 2·59; P<0·001) and lunch (OR=2·05, 95% CI 1·35, 3·12 and OR=2·02, 95% CI 1·43, 2·86; P<0·001). Educating adolescents on how to assess and interpret unhealthy eating behaviours that they observe from significant others may be one nutrition promotion strategy to reduce meal-skipping behaviour. The involvement of mothers may be particularly important in such efforts. Encouraging a peer subculture that promotes regular consumption of meals and educates adolescents on the detrimental impact of meal-skipping behaviour on health may also offer a promising nutrition promotion strategy.

Meal skipping relates to food choice, understanding of nutrition labeling, and prevalence of obesity in Korean fifth grade children

This study was performed to investigate the differences in food choice, nutrition labeling perceptions, and prevalence of obesity due to meal skipping in Korean elementary school children. A national survey was performed in 2010 to collect data on food intake frequency, understanding of nutrition labeling, and body mass index from 2,335 fifth grade students in 118 elementary schools selected from 16 metropolitan local governments by stratified cluster sampling. The data were analyzed using the SAS 9.1 and SUDAAN 10.0 packages. Students who consumed three meals for 6-7 days during the past week were classified into the regular meal eating (RM) group (n = 1,476) and those who did not were placed into the meal skipping (MS) group (n = 859). The daily intake frequency of fruits, vegetables, kimchi, and milk was significantly lower in the MS group compared to that in the RM group (P < 0.001), whereas the daily intake frequency of soft drinks and instant noodles (ramyeon) was significantly higher in the MS group than that in the RM group (P < 0.05). The MS group demonstrated a significantly lower degree of understanding with regard to nutrition labeling and high calorie foods containing low nutritional value than that in the RM group. The distribution of obesity based on the percentile criteria using the Korean growth chart was different between the MS and RM groups. The MS group (8.97%) had a higher percentage of obese subjects than that in the RM group (5.38%). In conclusion, meal skipping was related to poor food choice, low perception of nutrition labeling, and a high prevalence of obesity in Korean fifth grade children.

Obesity-related behaviors of Malaysian adolescents: a sample from Kajang district of Selangor state

This study aims to determine the association between obesity-related behaviors (dietary practices, physical activity and body image) and body weight status among adolescents. A total of 382 adolescents (187 males and 195 females) aged 13 to 15 years in Kajang, Selangor participated in this study. Majority of the respondents were Malays (56.0%), followed by Chinese (30.1%) and Indians (13.9%). Dietary practices, physical activity and body image of the adolescents were assessed through the eating behaviors questionnaire, two-day dietary record, two-day physical activity record and multi-dimensional body image scale (MBIS), respectively. Body weight and height were measured by trained researchers. The prevalence of overweight and obesity (19.5%) was about twice the prevalence of underweight (10.5%). About two-thirds of the respondents (72.3%) skipped at least one meal and half of them (56.2%) snacked between meals with a mean energy intake of 1,641 ± 452 kcal/day. More than half of the respondents (56.8%) were practicing sedentary lifestyle with a mean energy expenditure of 1,631 ± 573 kcal per day. Energy intake (r = 0.153, P < 0.05), physical activity (r = 0.463, P < 0.01) and body image (r = 0.424, P < 0.01) were correlated with BMI. However, meal skipping, snacking and energy expenditure per kg body weight were not associated with body weight status. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that body image, physical activity and energy intake contributed significantly in explaining body weight status of the adolescents. In short, overweight and obesity were likely to be associated not only with energy intake and physical activity, but also body image. Hence, promoting healthy eating, active lifestyle and positive body image should be incorporated in future obesity prevention programmes in adolescents.

Nutritional risk amongst community-living Maori and non-Maori older people in Hawke’s Bay

Maintaining good nutrition is vital for healthy ageing. Poor nutrition increases the risk of hospitalisation, disability and mortality. Research shows clinical malnutrition is preceded by a state of nutritional risk and screening can identify older people at risk of poor nutrition or who currently have impaired nutritional status. To assess the population prevalence of nutritional risk amongst community-living Maori and non-Maori older people in Hawke's Bay. A postal survey of 1268 people aged 65 years or older on the electoral roll for Hawke's Bay was conducted. Nutritional risk was measured using the SCREEN II questionnaire. Responses from 473 people were received (43.8% male, 49.9% female, 6.3% unspecified) with an estimated average age of 74 years. Nutritional risk was present amongst 56.5% of older people with 23.7% at risk and 32.8% at high risk. Maori were 5.2 times more likely to be at nutritional risk than non-Maori. Older people living alone were 3.5 times more likely to be at nutritional risk than those living with others. The most frequent risk factors were low milk-product intake, perception of own weight being more or less than it should be, and low meat and alternatives intake. Skipping meals and low fruit and vegetable intake were additional frequent risk factors for Maori. Both living situation and ethnicity are associated with nutritional risk. Further investigation is needed to confirm these findings and to determine issues specific for older Maori, including barriers to good nutrition and opportunities for nutritional improvement.

Identifying the ‘red flags’ for unhealthy weight control among adolescents: Findings from an item response theory analysis of a national survey

BackgroundWeight control behaviors are common among young people and are associated with poor health outcomes. Yet clinicians rarely ask young people about their weight control; this may be due to uncertainty about which questions to ask, specifically around whether certain weight loss strategies are healthier or unhealthy or about what weight loss behaviors are more likely to lead to adverse outcomes. Thus, the aims of the current study are: to confirm, using item response theory analysis, that the underlying latent constructs of healthy and unhealthy weight control exist; to determine the ‘red flag’ weight loss behaviors that may discriminate unhealthy from healthy weight loss; to determine the relationships between healthy and unhealthy weight loss and mental health; and to examine how weight control may vary among demographic groups.MethodsData were collected as part of a national health and wellbeing survey of secondary school students in New Zealand (n = 9,107) in 2007. Item response theory analyses were conducted to determine the underlying constructs of weight control behaviors and the behaviors that discriminate unhealthy from healthy weight control.ResultsThe current study confirms that there are two underlying constructs of weight loss behaviors which can be described as healthy and unhealthy weight control. Unhealthy weight control was positively correlated with depressive mood. Fasting and skipping meals for weight loss had the lowest item thresholds on the unhealthy weight control continuum, indicating that they act as ‘red flags’ and warrant further discussion in routine clinical assessments.ConclusionsRoutine assessments of weight control strategies by clinicians are warranted, particularly for screening for meal skipping and fasting for weight loss as these behaviors appear to ‘flag’ behaviors that are associated with poor mental wellbeing.

Factors Related to Body Mass Index and Body Mass Index Change in Korean Children: Preliminary Results from the Obesity and Metabolic Disorders Cohort in Childhood

BackgroundThis preliminary study is to assess risk factors associated with children's body mass index (BMI) and their changes over a 2-year period based on the analysis of the Obesity and Metabolic Disorders Cohort in Childhood registry.MethodsA total of 1,504 children comprised of 474 1st graders and 1,030 4th graders were included in the study. Data on physical activity, dietary intake, and socioeconomic status were obtained through self-administered questionnaires, and height and weight were measured annually for 2 years.ResultsIn a cross-sectional analysis, BMI of 1st graders was associated with higher parental BMI (both P < 0.001) and frequent snack consumption (P = 0.049). BMI of 4th graders was additionally associated with shorter sleep duration (P = 0.001), lower household income (P = 0.016), higher fat intake (P = 0.017), and frequent meal skipping (P = 0.020). During a 2-year follow-up, BMI increased by 0.8 ± 1.4 kg/m2 in 1st graders and by 1.3 ± 1.4 kg/m2 in 4th graders. In a longitudinal analysis, higher exercise frequency (P = 0.007), shorter sleep duration (P = 0.027), lower household income (P = 0.002), and higher paternal BMI (P = 0.002, 0.043) were significant predictors of BMI changes in the 1st graders whereas only higher maternal BMI (P=0.035), and frequent snack consumption (P = 0.010) were predictors for the 4th graders BMI changes.ConclusionOur findings indicate that parental obesity, short sleep duration, low socioeconomic status, and frequent snacking are associated with BMI and BMI changes.

Assessment of food consumption frequency and physical activity level in cancer patients: A pilot study

Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the food consumption frequency and physical activity level in cancer patients treated in Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital, in Ankara/Turkey. Methods. We have randomly selected 60 (35 men, 25 women) cancer patients between the ages of 16-77 years. The study was carried out using a “face to face interview technique”. The patients were assessed for their physical activity level, number of main meals and snacks consumed daily, amount of drinking water in a day and food consumption frequency. Results. The mean age of the patients included in the study was found 52.2±2.1 years. Body mass index (BMI) of patients ranged from 14.0- 43.3 kg/m 2 and mean BMI was found as 23.8±0.9 kg/m 2 for men and 26.7±1.3 kg/m 2 for women. The most common cancer type was found to be lung cancer among men and breast cancer among women related to the type of cancer diagnosis. According to the evaluation of meal skipping, it has been found that half of the patients do not skip meals, 40.0% always skip meals and 10.0% sometimes skip meals. It has been shown that decreased appetite was the most important cause of skipping meals. The frequency of consumption of meat products (salami, sausage, etc.) have decreased after the diagnosis in the patients. It has been observed a significant increase in the frequency of consumption of oilseeds (walnut, hazelnut) after diagnosis in the patients. When physical activity status of the patients was asked, 30.0% of them have been reported to walk daily or every other day or three times per week. The mean duration of daily walking was found 30.4±3.9 minutes. Conclusion. In this present study, it has been seen that both male and female patients have tried to give up improper eating habits after diagnosis. Healthy nutrition and regular physical activity are important for the improvement of the life quality of the cancer patients. Keywords: Nutrition, physical activity, cancer, food consumption frequency Ozet Amac. Bu calismanin amaci, Ankara ili Hacettepe Universitesi Onkoloji Hastanesi'nde tedavi goren kanser hastalarinin besin tuketim sikligi ve fiziksel aktivite duzeyini degerlendirmektir. Yontem. Yaslari 16-77 yil arasinda degisen, rastgele ornekleme yontemiyle 60 (35 erkek, 25 kadin) kanser hastasi secilmistir. Bu calisma yuz yuze gorusme teknigi kullanilarak gerceklestirildi. Hastalarda fiziksel aktivite duzeyi, gunluk tuketilen ara ve ana ogun sayisi ve bir gunluk besin tuketim sikligi ve gunluk tuketilen icme suyu miktari degerlendirildi. Bulgular. Calismaya dahil edilen hastalarin yas ortalamasi 52,2±2,1 yildir. Hastalarin vucut kitle indeksi (BKI) 14,0-43,3 kg/m 2 arasinda degismektedir ve erkeklerde ortalama BKI 23,8 ± 0,9 kg/m2, kadinlarda 26,7 ± 1,3 kg/m 2 olarak bulunmustur. Tanisi konulan kanser turleri incelendiginde, erkeklerde akciger kanserinin, kadinlarda meme kanserinin en sik rastlanan kanser turleri oldugu tespit edilmistir. Ogun atlama durumlari degerlendirildiginde, hastalarin yarisi ogun atlamamakta; %40.0’inin her zaman ve % 10.0’unun bazen ogun atladigi tespit edilmistir. Istah azalmasinin ogun atlamada en onemli neden oldugu gosterilmistir. Hastalarda et urunlerinin (salam, sosis, vb.) tuketim sikligi tanidan sonra azalmistir. Hastalarin tani sonrasi yagli tohumlari (ceviz, findik), tuketim sikliginda belirgin bir artis gozlenmistir. Hastalarin fiziksel aktivite durumu sorgulandiginda, bireylerin %30,0’unun her gun, gunasiri veya haftada uc kez yurudugu bildirilmistir. Gunluk yuruyus sureleri ortalama 30,4 ± 3,9 dakika bulunmustur. Sonuc. Bu calismada, hem erkek hem de kadin hastalarin tani sonrasi yanlis beslenme aliskanliklarindan vazgecmeye calistiklari gorulmustur Saglikli beslenme ve duzenli fiziksel aktivite kanser hastalarinin yasam kalitesinin iyilestirilmesi icin onemlidir. Anahtar sozcukler: Beslenme, fiziksel aktivite, kanser, besin tuketim sikligi