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IMPACT OF DIETARY HABITS ON THE EXTENT OF FRAILTY IN ADULT SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER

Abstract

Alexandra K. Stoll, Takudzwa A. Madzima. Elon University, Elon, NC.

BACKGROUND: Frailty, physical weakness, is one measurable indicator of poor health that is associated with premature aging and is a predictor of chronic disease. Typically, frailty is prevalent in older adults who are experiencing the effects of aging. However, recent research recognizes that the premature aging effects of cancer treatment make frailty a concern in cancer survivors as well. This study population will consist of women survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) because adolescent cancer survivors and women are especially at-risk groups. Frailty is defined as experiencing three or more of the following: low muscle mass, exhaustion, low energy expenditure, slow walking speed, or muscle weakness. This study will analyze the extent of frailty in women survivors of childhood cancer in comparison to an age-matched group. Additionally, dietary and exercise habits will be examined to see if lifestyle habits and the extent of frailty are correlated. METHODS: Whole body and regional muscle mass will be measured using a DXA scanner. To determine walking speed, the participants will be instructed to walk at their normal pace for 15 feet. Slow walking speed will be determined based on time in relation to height. Muscle weakness will be measured using a hand grip dynamometer and will be calculated based on BMI and age-specific cut off points. The Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 will be used to measure exhaustion. Participants that score 1.3 SD below the population mean will be categorized as experiencing exhaustion. Energy expenditure will be measured using a physical activity questionnaire from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. Participants who expend less than 270 kilocalories per week will be classified as having low energy expenditure. Physical activity will be tracked using an accelerometer wristband and dietary habits will be recorded using the MyFitnessPal application over a 7-day period. ANTICIPATED RESULTS: It is expected that cancer survivors, compared to age-matched women, will experience higher levels of frailty as demonstrated by low muscle mass, slower walking speed, more severe muscle weakness, lower energy expenditure, and higher levels of exhaustion. Additionally, decreased frailty will be associated with positive dietary and exercise habits in both cancer survivors and age-matched controls.

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