Factors associated with changes in energy intake of women after treatment for breast cancer

PURPOSE: To investigate changes in the dietary consumption as well as the influence of the general characteristics, of the sociodemographic, clinical and nutritional factors, and of the antineoplastic therapy on the changes in the energy intake of women from southern Brazil, before and after adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. METHODS: A non-randomized clinical study was conducted on 53 patients at a hospital of the public health network. Dietary information was collected with a food frequency questionnaire. A mixed-effects linear regression model was used to evaluate the factors that influenced longitudinal alterations of energy intake. RESULTS: A significant increase was observed in daily energy intake of fats, calcium, iron, copper, polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 6 and omega 3, and a significant decrease in vitamin B-2 intake. The final regression model for the change in energy intake showed an average increase of 19.2 kcal/month. Fruit and legume consumption showed the highest association with energy intake, with each 100 g consumed resulting in an average increase of 68.4 and 370.5 kcal, respectively. Women in the 51 to 60 year age range consumed 403.5 kcal less than those in the 31 to 50 year age range. CONCLUSION: There was an increase in energy intake during treatment and the increase in the ingestion of fruits and legumes was associated with significant increases in energy intake.