Effect of Nutritional Therapy on Body Mass Index of Cancer Patients- A Pilot Study

• Published in: Journal of clinical and diagnostic research Vol. 15; no. 10; pp. LC16 - LC19
• Main Authors: shanthi, S, Shambhavi, .
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 01-10-2021
• Subjects: cancer treatment; cancer weight loss; diet for cancer
• ISSN: 2249-782X; 0973-709X
• DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2021/49768.15555

Introduction: Nutritional issues are typically encountered throughout the treatment of cancer. Cancer cachexia is usually recognised as not only reduced bodily function and quality of life, but also poor positive outcome in patients. Naturally, Body Mass Index (BMI) is frequently used for determining nutritional status of a patient. Intervening nutritional problems of the patient leads to better prognosis. It is necessary to identify patients at-risk earlier and provide effective nutritional interventions. Aim: To determine the level of BMI and evaluate the effect of nutritional therapy on BMI and find its association with demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental interventional trial conducted among 100 patients admitted in the hospital with a diagnosis of head, neck and breast cancers. Parameters assessed were baseline proforma, weight and height which were measured and BMI was calculated (BMI=kg/m2 in which kg is a individuals weight in kilograms and m2 is their height in meters squared) and classified as per World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Results: Before nutritional intervention 20% and 26% of patients were underweight in the experimental and control group respectively, whereas after 21 days 18% in experimental and 32% in control were underweight. Z score for post-test level of BMI in the experimental and control group were 2.125 and 2.34, respectively is greater than the tabulated value (Z=1.96 at p-value=0.05 level of significance), hence there was a significant difference between post-test level of BMI in the experimental and control group. High protein high caloric whole food was significant. Conclusion: Investigators concluded from the present study that nutrition therapy can help to maintain or improve the nutritional status among patients on cancer treatment.