Confidence Builds Better Exercise Habits for Cancer Survivors
Breaking research is beginning to show the interplay between self-efficacy, or confidence, and exercise duration. Dr. Basen-Engquist and her team found that for every point increase in daily self-efficacy the participants performed 6 minutes more of moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise that day. Finding novel ways to increase cancer survivor’s daily self-efficacy to exercise and be healthier is one of the Center’s future research interests.
Citation: Basen-Engquist, K. and et al. (2013). Social-Cognitive Theory Predictors of Exercise Behavior in Endometrial Cancer Survivors. Health Psychology, Epub ahead of print.
What is Energy Balance?
“Energy balance refers to the integrated effects of diet, physical activity, and genetics on growth and body weight over an individual's lifetime. Scientists are increasingly aware of the importance of understanding the effects of energy balance on the development and progression of cancer and on cancer patients' quality of life after treatment. Weight, body composition, physical activity, and diet affect many physiologic systems and can alter the cancer process at many points.”
Citation: “Energy Balance: Weight and Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet.” National Cancer Institute. n.d. Web. 19 Feb 2013.
Some surprising facts about obesity:
- 2 in 3 US adults are overweight or obese
- $190.2 Billion is spent annually on obesity-related illnesses. That is more than alcohol and smoking combined!
- $4.3 Billion is lost in workplace productivity due to obesity-related absenteeism
- Obesity can cause cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, depression AND cancer!
Citation: IOM (Institute of Medicine). 2012. Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
Image adapted from: American Cancer Society. (2013). Body Weight and Cancer Risk [Infographic]. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/research/body-weight-and-cancer-risk-infographic.
It is now being shown that physically active cancer survivors of colon, breast, and prostate cancer, experience decreased risk of recurrence and increased survival. Stage III colon cancer survivors that did at least 18 MET-hours of activity each week saw a 47% increase in their disease free survival. 18 MET-hours of activity is the equivalent of walking briskly for 6 hours, casually biking for 4.5 hours or dancing for 4 hours.
Meyerhardt, J., et al. (2006). Impact of Physical Activity on Cancer Recurrence and Survival in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: Findings From CALGB 89803. J Clin Oncol, 24(22), 3535-3541.
From 2007-2010, the average US adult ate 11.3% of their daily calories from fast food! The 20-39 age group was the highest with approximately 15% of their daily calories from fast food. Regardless of age, overweight and obese individuals got the highest percentage of calories from this food source. If you are trying to lose weight, consider reducing your fast food consumption. You will not only save calories, but also reduce your fat and sodium intake!
Citation: Fryar CD, Ervin RB. Caloric intake from fast food among adults: United States, 2007-2010. NCHS data brief, no 114. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2013.
Image adapted from: HBO’s Weight of the Nation. (2010). Portion Distortion in Snack Foods [Infographic]. Retrieved from http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/digital-assets/.
Bariatric Surgery Does Not Reduce Health Care Costs
A medical data review of almost 30,000 morbidly obese US adults who elected to have bariatric surgery was compared to another group of almost 30,000 morbidly obese adults who did not have surgery. Their health c care costs were compared over 6 years and it was found that there was no difference in spending between the two groups. The best way to reduce obesity-related healthcare spending is to avoid the problem before it starts! Eat right, exercise and stay lean for the longest and most prosperous life possible!
Citation: Weiner, J. and et al. (2013). "Impact of bariatric surgery on health care costs of obese persons: A 6-year follow-up of surgical and comparison cohorts using health plan data." JAMA Surgery: 1-8.
November 19, 2015
Energy Balance Journal Club
Obesity in pediatric ALL patients during maintenance therapy: risk and prevention strategies
Karla Crawford, MPH, RD, LD
CPB 8 (room 6)