Nutrition Counseling in an Academic Medical Center According to Socioeconomic Status and Grocery Shopping Consumer Behavior Decreased Relative Fat Mass in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Body composition assessment in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) is essential to plan feasible dietary strategies for sarcopenic obesity prevention. OBJECTIVE: Studying the effect of an individualized nutrition intervention according to socioeconomic status and grocery shopping behavior on BCSs relative fat mass (RFM). METHODS: BCSs attending an academic medical center were studied; participants saved all 1-week supermarket tickets and answered a grocery shopping consumer preference survey. RFM was assessed at baseline and after the 3-month nutrition intervention. Nutrition plans were based on the dynamic macronutrient meal-equivalent menu method (MEM) and dietary guidelines for BCSs. RESULTS: Thirty-three BCSs completed the study and 91% of them presented obesity or overweight at baseline. After the intervention, BCSs lost 1.6 kg (p < 0.01) of body weight, 1.8 kg (p < 0.01) of RFM, 3 cm (p < 0.01) of waist circumference, and 2.4 cm (p < 0.01) of hip circumference, while no changes were observed in fat-free mass (p = 0.6) and arm bone-free muscle area (p = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: RFM and body weight in breast cancer survivors decreased after an individualized nutrition intervention according to socioeconomic status and grocery shopping consumer behavior. Based on the participants' food preferences and consumer behavior, plant-based protein diet plans cost less than the animal-based protein diet plans.