No abstract

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the adherence to a dietary, physical activity, and body weight intervention using the principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI) in female breast cancer survivors who participated in a trial for 4 months. Methods Premenopausal and postmenopausal female cancer survivors (n = 47) were randomized to the intervention group (IG, n = 22) that received the MI strategy, or the comparison group (CG, n = 25) that received nutritional counseling. Adherence to the program was evaluated based on compliance with dietary and physical activity goals, changes in body weight and changes in serum levels of α-carotene and β-carotene. We applied two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls to estimate dietary intake, and used a pedometer to measure number of steps. Blood samples were taken at time 0 (basal) and at 4 months of the study, and the serum concentrations of α-carotene and β-carotene were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Among participants in the IG, percentages of compliance with goals for fruit and vegetable intakes were 93% and 90% respectively. The consumption of red, green and yellow vegetables increased (135.3 to 148.6 g/day, 192.1 to 227.7 g/day and 49.1 to 58.9 g/day, respectively) in the IG. There were no differences in fiber or total sugar intakes between groups. Women in the IG significantly increased their serum β-carotene levels (median 10.7 to 21.2 μg/dL) compared to the CG (median 13.1 to 19.9 μg/dL) (P < 0.05). The number of steps increased in the IG compared to the CG (1865 vs. 189, P < 0.05), although participants in the two groups continued to be classified as sedentary (physical activity level <1 at 0 and 4 months). Women in the IG lost 1.75 kg of body weight compared to 0.70 kg in the CG (P = 0.08). Conclusions Findings indicate that adherence to the recommendation on fruit and vegetable intakes is relatively high and that adherence to the recommendation on fiber intake, sugar intake, body weight and physical activity should be promoted. The MI strategy is promising to motivate changes in lifestyle changes. Funding Sources Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT-México) (English: National Council for Science and Technology).

No abstract