Determinants of adherence to physical activity guidelines among overweight and obese African American breast cancer survivors: Implications for intervention approach.

Abstract

Objective-Public health agencies encourage breast cancer survivors (BCSs) to follow their physical activity guidelines (PAGs). However, adherence to these guidelines is low. African American (AA) BCSs are more often overweight or obese and less likely than women of other races to report adherence to physical activity recommendations. This study examined socioeconomic, clinical, and psychosocial correlates with meeting PAGs.Design-AA women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer and participating in a breast cancer support group (N = 193) completed a lifestyle assessment tool capturing demographic characteristics; breast cancer diagnosis and treatment history; health-related quality of life; weight history, including body mass index and post-diagnosis weight gain; and physical activity. Logistic regressions were used to determine if these covariates were associated with meeting [>8.3 metabolic equivalent task (MET) hr/wk]; partially meeting (4.15-8.3 MET hr/wk); or not meeting (<4.15 MET hr/wk) PAGs.Results-Only 54% of AA BCSs reported meeting current PAGs. Participants reporting weight gain of ≤5 lbs post-diagnosis, and those who received surgical treatment for breast cancer were more likely to complete at least 8.3 MET hr/wk. Better physical functioning and lesser pain intensity were associated with meeting PAGs.CONTACT Benjamin E. Ansa, bansa@augusta.edu, Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, USA. Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. HHS Public AccessAuthor manuscript Ethn Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 01. Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author ManuscriptConclusion-Several factors influence physical activity behaviors and are likely to be important in developing effective interventions to assist AA survivors manage their weight. It is essential that providers and breast cancer support groups that assist survivors to remain physically active and to manage their weight should be aware of these factors. These findings may help generate hypotheses for future research to undergird efforts to increase physical activity among African American BCSs.

Polymorphisms in Cytokine Receptor and Regulator Genes are Associated with Levels of Exercise in Women Prior to Breast Cancer Surgery

“…Consistent with previous reports of patients with breast cancer (Piacentine et al, 2018; Smith et al, 2018); patients with other chronic conditions (August & Sorkin, 2011; Bazargan-Hejazi et al, 2017); as well as individuals in the general population (August & Sorkin, 2011; Vásquez et al, 2013); a higher percentage of non-white patients were in the NoEx group. In addition, and consistent with previous reports in oncology patients (Courneya et al, 2014; van Waart et al, 2015; Wilcoxon et al, 2020; Witlox et al, 2019) and the general population (Puciato et al, 2018; Schmidt et al, 2017; Scholes & Bann, 2018), patients in our NoEx group reported fewer years of education and had a lower annual household income.…”

Measurement error modeling of physical activity data

“…Tucker et al (2011Tucker et al ( ) used 2005Tucker et al ( -2006 NHANES accelerometry data and concluded that about 10% of adults would have been in compliance at the time; self-report from NHANES Tucker et al (2011) found compliance rates to be around 60%, showing a large disparity between the objective and subjective measures. Smith et al (2016) looked at adherence for African-American breast cancer survivors, and found that "only" 54% reported meeting current PAG. Although the compliance rate estimates are fairly similar for those using self-report data, it is unlikely these are a good representation of true compliance rates due to the biases involved in self-reports.…”