The body composition of childhood cancer survivors

Abstract

Purpose/Objective: Nutritional late effects in childhood cancer survivors are important to understand because they can potentially contribute to the development of other later health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the body composition of childhood cancer survivors, a key determinant of nutritional status. Materials and Methods: This study involved 47 childhood cancer survivors (n = 31 leukeamia) who were attending the After Cancer Care Clinic, Queensland Children's Cancer Centre, Australia. This cross-sectional study measured height, weight, body cell mass via measures of total body potassium, and percent fat via measures of air displacement plethysmography. Subjects were compared to 47 age and sex matched healthy controls using independent t-tests. Results: The population had a mean age of 14.2 ± 3.7 years and a mean time since active treatment of 9.2 ± 2.9 years. There was no significant difference in the height, weight and body mass index between the childhood cancer survivors and healthy controls. However, the study group had significantly higher percent fat (mean = 25.6 ± 9.1%; p = 0.001) and significantly lower body cell mass (mean = 18.0 ± 6.5kg; p = 0.0004) than the healthy controls (mean percent fat = 20.0 ± 8.5; mean body cell mass = 23.1 ± 7.8). There was no significant correlation between length of time since active treatment and body composition. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that childhood cancer survivors have similar body sizes to their healthy peers but that their body composition is altered with increased fat and decreased body cell mass. The implication of this finding is that poor nutritional status may go undetected and untreated when only height and weight are used to define nutritional status. Childhood cancer survivors should undergo comprehensive nutritional screening and would benefit from a program aimed to improve body composition through physical activity and a balanced diet.L712166492013-11-14 <br />