Trajectories of aerobic physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake in adults with cancer: Predictors and outcomes of class membership.

purposeAdvances in cancer treatment have led to increased survival rates, but cancer survivors often face challenges such as physical and psychosocial impairments, accelerated aging, and reduced quality of life. While regular physical activity (PA) and a heathy diet, particularly fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, are known to benefit recovery, many survivors do not meet recommended health behavior guidelines.

methodsLatent class linear mixed modeling was used to analyze YUCAN study data, identifying distinct trajectories of aerobic PA and F&V intake in adults with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer, during the transition from treatment to early survivorship. We examined trajectory patterns, identified socio-demographic, clinical, and psychosocial predictors of trajectory groups, and explored associations with physical health and distress. Participant (n = 501) surveys were analyzed at baseline (~ 3 months from treatment completion) and at 3-month intervals for 12 months.

resultsThree PA trajectories were identified: "consistently low," "low and increasing," and "high and decreasing." Two F&V intake trajectories were found: "moderate and increasing," and "consistently low." Socio-demographic factors, such as older age and racial-ethnic minority status, as well as psychosocial factors, including resilience and perceived controllability of the illness, were significant predictors of PA trajectory membership. Higher F&V intake was also associated with better physical health at T5.

conclusionThese findings highlight the intragroup variability in health behavior trajectories, predictors and health outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This variability indicates that survivors may require individualized support to adopt healthier behaviors during the transition to early survivorship.