Combined Effects of Physical Activity and Diet on Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Petros C Dinas, Marianthi Karaventza, Christina Liakou, Kalliopi Georgakouli, Dimitrios Bogdanos, George S Metsios

Journal: Nutrients 2024;16(11):1749

PMID: 38892682

Plain Language Summary

Cancer is characterised by the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow unusually and spread around the body, which causes a cascade of unfavourable health effects. Potential reasons for the development of cancer cells include exposure to ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, certain chemicals (e.g., asbestos, tobacco smoke, and alcohol), nutritional contaminants, and certain infections. This study aimed to examine the effects of any physical activity/exercise intervention combined with any diet/nutrition intervention on any biological/biochemical index, quality of life (QoL), and depression in breast, lung, colon and rectum, prostate, stomach, and liver cancer patients and/or cancer survivors. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of thirty-eight publications. Results showed that combined intervention of physical activity/exercise and diet/nutrition reduced body mass index, insulin, HOMA-IR, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, and depression in the intervention group, while it reduced fat-free mass in the control group. The meta-analysis also revealed low-quality evidence that the intervention reduced body weight and fat mass, while moderate-quality evidence showed that it increased high-density lipoprotein, QoL physical component summary score, QoL physical functioning, and general functional assessment of cancer therapy. Authors concluded that a combined intervention of physical activity/exercise and diet/nutrition may decrease body weight, fat mass, insulin levels, and inflammation and improve lipidemic profiles in cancer patients and survivors. Additionally, they also improve the physical component of QoL, as well as depression levels, in cancer patients and survivors.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The purpose of our systematic review was to examine the effects of any physical activity/exercise intervention combined with any diet/nutrition intervention on any biological/biochemical index, quality of life (QoL), and depression in breast, lung, colon and rectum, prostate, stomach, and liver cancer patients and/or cancer survivors.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken, using PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook. The systematic review protocol can be found in the PROSPERO database; registration number: CRD42023481429.

RESULTS

We found moderate-quality evidence that a combined intervention of physical activity/exercise and nutrition/diet reduced body mass index, body weight, fat mass, insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, and depression, while it increased high-density lipoprotein, the physical component of QoL, and general functional assessment of cancer therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that a combined intervention of physical activity/exercise and diet/nutrition may decrease body weight, fat mass, insulin levels, and inflammation, and improve lipidemic profile, the physical component of QoL, and depression in cancer patients and survivors. These outcomes indicate a lower risk for carcinogenesis; however, their applicability depends on the heterogeneity of the population and interventions, as well as the potential medical treatment of cancer patients and survivors.

Address: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42130 Trikala, Greece.; FAME Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece.; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42130 Trikala, Greece.; School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece.; Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece.

DOI: 10.3390/nu16111749