Abstract
Background
Cancer risk is determined by specific factors, including body weight and dietary patterns.
Accordingly, the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research
published updated cancer prevention recommendations in 2018 based on comprehensive
reviews of modifiable behaviors associated with cancer risk.
Objective
The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which US adults meet these
evidence-based recommendations and how adherence differs by weight status.
Design
This was a cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the 2005-2016
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Participants/setting
Dietary intake data for 30,888 adults 18 years and older with normal body mass index
(BMI), overweight, or obesity were analyzed.
Main outcome measures
Differences in dietary intakes and the proportion of adults meeting guidelines were
compared across BMI categories.
Statistical analyses performed
Logistic regression and 1-way analysis of covariance were used to analyze differences
in adherence to recommendations, controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and family
income as a percent of the federal poverty rate.
Results
Regarding fruit and nonstarchy vegetables, 62.8% of adults with normal BMI, 64.5%
with overweight, and 70.1% with obesity fell short of recommendations. Regarding whole
grains, 67.9% of adults with normal BMI, 70.2% with overweight, and 73.1% with obesity
did not meet the recommendation. Regarding red meat, 36.7% of adults with normal BMI,
41.6% with overweight, and 43.5% with obesity consumed >18 oz/week, with a significant
difference in mean intakes between adults with normal BMI and obesity (P < .001). Adults with obesity consumed significantly less dietary fiber and more processed
meat than adults with normal BMI and overweight (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Few U.S. adults meet cancer prevention recommendations; adults with obesity are significantly
less likely to do so. Future research should evaluate compounded risk resulting from
obesity and poor dietary patterns inconsistent with current evidence-based guidelines,
and inform targeted interventions to address these issues.
Keywords
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Biography
M. Good is an undergraduate student, Division of Medical Dietetics, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, and a clinical dietitian, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH.
Biography
A. C. Braun is a clinical research specialist, Division of Medical Dietetics, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.
Biography
C. A. Taylor is a professor, Division of Medical Dietetics, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.
Biography
C. K. Spees is an associate professor, Division of Medical Dietetics, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 30, 2021
Accepted:
February 9,
2021
Received:
May 18,
2020
Footnotes
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
FUNDING/SUPPORT There is no funding to disclose.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS M. Good and C. A. Taylor completed data analysis and writing of the first manuscript draft. All authors contributed to the writing, editing, and reviews of additional drafts.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
