Journal List > Korean J Community Nutr > v.21(1) > 1038572

Hong, Choi, Yan, Lim, and Chyun: Study on the Improvement of Dietary Life of Cancer Patients during Treatment by Nutrition Counseling

Abstract

Objectives

This study investigated the improvement of food habits and eating behavior of cancer patients during treatment through the continuous nutrition counseling and monitoring.

Methods

Thirty cancer patients during treatment were participated in this study, and the first nutrition counseling and the first and second monitoring were conducted after 2-3 week intervals.

Results

As a result of the nutrition counseling and monitoring, all patients improved to a great extent to consume 3 meals a day. The frequency of having breakfast was significantly increased with the nutrition counseling and continuous monitoring as well. The meal fixed quantity was stabilized and the eating speed slowed down as more nutrition counseling were done. The snack intakes of patients did not show any significant difference after the nutrition counseling but showed a slight decline after the monitoring. The frequencies of eating out and a late-night meal significantly decreased after the monitoring. The intakes of fish, meat, vegetables, milk and fruits needed for a well-balanced diet significantly increased as more nutrition counseling were done. The intakes of processed food were significantly decreased after the nutrition counseling and the intakes of fast food were significantly decreased as more nutrition counseling were done. The water intake of patients also significantly increased. In the eating behavior related to health, the frequency of drinking alcohol significantly decreased after nutrition counseling consultation and no patients had dietary supplements after the first monitoring.

Conclusions

These results suggested that continuous nutrition counseling is effective in improving eating habits of cancer patients.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

The distribution of cancer diagnoses among study participants

1) GIST: Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
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Table 1

General characteristics of the study subjects

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1) Mean ± SD

Table 2

Changes of food habits

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1) Mean ± SD

2) 5: ≥5/week, 4: 4/week, 3: 3/week, 2: 2/week, 1: ≤1/week

3) 5: very regular, 4: regular, 3: usually, 2: irregular, 1: very irregular

4) 5: very fast, 4: fast, 3: usually, 2: slow, 1: very slow

5) 5: ≥2/day, 4: 1/day, 3: 3/week, 2: 2/week, 1: ≤1/week

6) 5: ≥1/day, 4: 4-5/week, 3: 2-3/week, 2: 1/week, 1: ≤2/month

*: p < 0.05, ***: p < 0.001

Table 3

Intakes of snacks

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1) N (%)

Table 4

Intakes frequency of foods

kjcn-21-93-i004

1) Mean ± SD, ***: P < 0.001, **: P < 0.01

2) 5: 3/day, 4: 2/day, 3: 1/day, 2: 3/week, 1: ≤1/week

3) 5: ≥2/day, 4: 1/day, 3: 3/week, 2: 2/week, 1: ≤1/week

4) 4: >1,500 ml, 3: 1,000~1,500 ml, 2: 500~1,000 ml, 1: <500 ml

**: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001

Table 5

Alcohol & supplementary health food intake frequency

kjcn-21-93-i005

1) Mean ± SD

2) 5: 1/day, 4: 4-5/week, 3: 2-3/week, 2: 1/week, 1: <2/month

***: p < 0.001

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ORCID iDs

Hyunsook Lim
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3564-0246

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