Childhood cancer survivors report preferring lifestyle interventions delivered in person rather than online: An adolescent and parent perspective

Abstract

Background: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can protect adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer against chronic diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined the attitudes of adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer and their parents toward improving lifestyle behaviors after cancer treatment, including their preferences for intervention delivery and perceived barriers and benefits to healthy eating and exercise. Methods:We recruited adolescent survivors of childhood cancer aged 11-19 years and their parents, from two hospitals. Participants completed a questionnaire via mail or at routine oncology clinic visits.Results: Thirty-three adolescents (response rate 39%, mean age 15, 61% male) and 32 parents (representing 30 parent-child dyads) participated. Parents were significantly more interested in having their child participate in a lifestyle intervention than adolescents (41% of adolescents and 72% of parents, P = .012). Both groups preferred that the survivor receive lifestyle support face to face rather than online. Adolescents preferred to involve their friends (39% of adolescents and 19% of parents) whereas parents preferred to involve the family in a lifestyle intervention (15% of adolescents and 47% of parents, P = .006). Adolescents and their parents perceived a dislike of the taste of fruits and vegetables, fatigue, lack of motivation, and fear of injury as barriers to change. They perceived that keeping healthy and having more energy were benefits to participation. Participants indicated that interventions that provide face-to-face personal training and dietary education at a local gym would be well accepted. Conclusions:Adolescents who have had cancer in childhood have a preference for face-toface contact with health professionals to overcome the barriers to participation in a lifestyle intervention. K E Y W O R D S adolescent oncology, behavioral studies, late effects of cancer treatment, nutrition, physical activity 1 INTRODUCTION Adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular risk factors such as overweight, 1 hypertension, and dyslipidemia, 2 which could be ameliorated by healthy lifestyle behaviors. 3 However, less than half of young survivors of pediatric cancer meet their recommended intake of vegetables and one in five survivors is identified as sedentary. 4,5 Despite increasing calls

Participating in a Health Promotion Program in Pediatric Oncology: Perspectives of Children, Adolescents and Families

“…Reinforcing the facilitators identi ed is therefore key to make the HP programs as enjoyable, convenient and individualized as possible. Similar to another study investigating the attitudes toward improving lifestyle behaviour after cancer treatment [29], adolescents in our study seemed to show less interest or motivation. Thus, developing targeted strategies for adolescents or additional support will be crucial in future initiatives.…”

Young adult cancer survivors’ experience of taking part in a 12-week exercise referral programme: a qualitative study of the Trekstock RENEW initiative

“…For example, in one study of adolescent cancer survivors, exercise was found to partially mediate the relationship between fatigue and quality of life during treatment and the relationship between sleep quality and quality of life posttreatment [28]. However, whilst physical activity is consistently found to reduce cancer-related fatigue; fatigue has been identified as one of the primary barriers to engaging in exercise [29][30][31]. Cancer-related changes in appearance, feeling frail and body image are also barriers to engaging in exercise programmes.…”

“…Characteristics of participants Age, [range], (years)32.6[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] what to do at home. It was too bad to get out, but not too bad that I couldn't do something.…”

Biological Aspects of Inflamm-Aging in Childhood Cancer Survivors

“…Recently, it has been demonstrated that lifestyle is an important risk factor for metabolic and cardiac diseases in CCS [ 121 , 122 ]. Indeed, conducting a healthy lifestyle could prevent chronic diseases’ development, such as obesity and CVD, in CCS [ 123 ]. It was demonstrated that uncorrected lifestyle behaviors and unhealthy weight gain occur early in treatment in CCS and may persist beyond treatment completion and potentially into adulthood; therefore, a correct lifestyle should be initiated early in order to prevent all the consequent negative effects [ 124 , 125 , 126 ].…”