In a recent study published in BMC Medicine, researchers analyze cardiovascular illness risk across adult childhood cancer survivors following a healthy weight loss plan.

Study: Adherence to healthy weight loss plan and risk of heart problems in adult survivors of childhood cancer within the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort: a cross-sectional study. Image Credit: nadianb / Shutterstock.com

Background

Childhood cancer survival rates have risen substantially over the past few a long time on account of advancements in cancer treatments. Nevertheless, quite a few organ systems are steadily adversely affected by cancer therapies, thus increasing the chance of persistent chronic health conditions in these individuals.

The long-term consequences of cancer treatment increase the likelihood of heart problems (CVD) amongst childhood cancer survivors. CVD is essentially the most prevalent non-cancer reason for mortality and morbidity, with childhood cancer survivors more more likely to develop this health condition as they age. 

Eating regimen is a recognized and controllable CVD risk factor. Amongst non-cancer and high-risk individuals, corresponding to those with hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension, a weight loss plan wealthy in healthy fatty acids, plant-based foods, moderate sugar, animal-based foods, and salt intake has consistently been linked to a reduced likelihood of CVD.

Even though it is understood that a healthy weight loss plan reduces the chance of CVD amongst the overall population, it’s unknown whether this can be applicable to individuals who have survived childhood cancer. 

In regards to the study

In the current study, researchers investigate the link between dietary patterns and CVD risk amongst adult childhood cancer survivors. To this end, the researchers evaluated whether adherence to a healthy weight loss plan has the identical positive impact on CVD in those that have survived childhood cancer because it does in the overall population.

A cross-sectional evaluation was performed using data from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE), which comprises adult childhood cancer survivors. The dietary habits of the study participants were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which subsequently led to their categorization as unhealthy and healthy patterns.

The three most generally examined dietary patterns included the alternate Mediterranean Eating regimen Rating (aMED), Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) rating. These diets were analyzed to thoroughly examine the connection between a healthy dietary pattern and CVD risk, regardless of how a dietary pattern is defined operationally. The cardiovascular risk aspects of the participants were also determined. 

The study’s primary consequence was CVD presence, defined as a self-reported history of stroke, coronary artery disease, heart attack, or evidence of marked coronary artery stenosis upon cardiac imaging. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between CVD risk and dietary patterns, in addition to account for possible confounding aspects like sex, age, cancer diagnosis, and therapy. 

Study findings

A complete of 1,882 male and 1,634 female childhood cancer survivors included within the study had a mean time following diagnosis of 21.7 years. The CVD prevalence amongst men and women was 17.2% and 13%, respectively. DASH and HEI-2015 scores were low for each men and women, thus suggesting poor adherence to advised intakes for various food groups. 

Women with CVD had lower dietary nutrient intakes and were older, whereas men with CVD were often non-White, older, more more likely to use dietary supplements, and physically inactive. Cancer survivors with elevated HEI-2015 scores were more more likely to be older, more educated, non-smokers, physically energetic, and use single dietary supplements or multivitamins.

High HEI-2015 scores amongst male subjects were non-linearly linked with a lower risk of CVD, with a threshold impact observed across high scores. Nonetheless, aMED and DASH weren’t linked to CVD risk in men.

Comparatively, aMED, HEI-2015 and DASH had a linear relationship with lower CVD risk in females. Although greater adherence to aMED, HEI-2015, and DASH was related to a lower CVD risk in high-risk females, this was not observed within the low-risk group.

A statistically non-significant association was observed between higher HEI-2015 scores and decreased CVD risk in each men and women across all categories, in addition to those and not using a history of high cholesterol, diabetes, or hypertension.

Conclusions

Although not statistically significant, higher adherence to aMED, HEI-2015, and DASH was linked to a reduced risk of CVD in females. In males, a non-significantly lower CVD risk was related to HEI-2015.

Amongst childhood cancer survivors with an increased risk of CVD, these dietary habits were linked to a reduced risk of CVD. Thus, just like the overall population, a weight loss plan moderate in animal products and high in plant foods corresponding to vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains must be an important element in managing and stopping CVD in pediatric cancer survivors.