Consumption of Low-Fat Dairy Products and Energy and Protein Intake in Cancer Patients at Risk of Malnutrition

Abstract

Current nutritional guidelines encourage the reduction of fat intake from animal sources like dairy products. The aim was to determine whether the consumption of low-fat dairy is related to poorer dietary intake and nutritional status in cancer patients at risk of malnutrition. This cross-sectional included patients with solid or hematological malignancies at risk of malnutrition. Nutritional status was studied using Subjective Global Assessment, anthropometry, and grip strength. Dietary intake was evaluated with a 24-h recall and dairy consumption with a structured questionnaire. Seventy-four patients were recruited; 71.6% males of 64.8 yr, most with gastrointestinal malignancies. Only 37.8% consumed whole milk, and 61.4% consumed whole yogurt. Reasons for consumption of low-fat dairies were healthy diet (58.0%), hypercholesterolemia (20.0%), and digestive intolerance (10.0%). There were similar rates of malnutrition according the type of dairy (whole 60.9% vs. low-fat 66.7%, P = 0.640). Low-fat dairies were related to a reduction in energy (whole 1980.1 kcal vs. low-fat 1480.9, P = 0.007) and protein intake (whole 86.0 g vs. low-fat 63.0 g, P = 0.030).

Detailed Dietary Assessment in Patients with Inoperable Tumors: Potential Deficits for Nutrition Care Plans

“…Previous studies have assessed the dietary intake of oncological patients, mainly focusing on energy and macronutrients intake. Specifically, dietary energy intakes of patients with advanced malignant disease have been previously reported (Bauer et al, 2005a;Bauer and Capra, 2005b;Bosaeus et al, 2001;DeWys et al, 1981;Fearon et al, 2003;Menon et al, 2014;Vidal-Casariego et al, 2015) with average energy intakes ranging between 22 and 24 kcal/kg/day, while higher intakes (25!35 kcal/kg BW) seem to be required for weight maintenance (Baracos, 2006). Regarding protein intakes, previous studies reported a protein intake of <1.5 g/kg/day (Hutton et al, 2006;Vidal-Casariego et al, 2015).…”

“…Specifically, dietary energy intakes of patients with advanced malignant disease have been previously reported (Bauer et al, 2005a;Bauer and Capra, 2005b;Bosaeus et al, 2001;DeWys et al, 1981;Fearon et al, 2003;Menon et al, 2014;Vidal-Casariego et al, 2015) with average energy intakes ranging between 22 and 24 kcal/kg/day, while higher intakes (25!35 kcal/kg BW) seem to be required for weight maintenance (Baracos, 2006). Regarding protein intakes, previous studies reported a protein intake of <1.5 g/kg/day (Hutton et al, 2006;Vidal-Casariego et al, 2015). In our study, mean energy and protein intake were estimated at 27 kcal/kg/day and 1.2 g/kg/day, respectively, and 6 out of 10 patients did not reach the goal for energy and/or protein intake, showing a compromised dietary intake even before the initiation of the systematic anticancer therapy.…”