Comparative Study of Dietary Habits and Physical Activities of Women Aged Under and over 40 Years With Breast Cancer
Nemati Ali1, Faizi Iraj2, Tazakorie Zahra3 and Mirbabazadeh Sayed Sajjad4  

1Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.

2Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.

3Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.

4Department of Medicine, General Physician, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.

Corresponding Author E-mail: tazakori@gmail.com

Abstract: It has shown that the number of patients with breast cancer is increasing in Iran. So, identifying its possible risk factors and their roles in developing this type of cancer is very important in our society. Present study aimed to determine the amount of physical activities and dietary risk factors involved in breast cancer at different ages in Ardabil city in 2013-14. Present study is descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional research. 113 female patients with breast cancer who were hospitalized at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil Town in 2013-14 were studied. After recording anthropometric factors, the information on dietary habits and physical activity of patients was gathered by food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Chi-square and T-test were used to analyze the data. The results showed that in the group of younger than 40 years old, mean and standard deviation of age was 36.6±2.9 and the group aged over 40 years, mean and standard deviation of age was 52.4±2.5. In the group of younger than 40 years old, the weight at the time of diagnosis, body mass index and its variations and the consumption of sausages and burgers in women with breast cancer were significantly higher compared to women with breast cancer in the group aged over 40 years (p<0.05). Physical activities levels and consumption of fruit in women with breast cancer in the group aged over 40 years is higher compared to the group aged under 40 years (p<0.05). The result showed that consuming some foods may affect the age of developing breast cancer among women. Low physical activity, overweight and high BMI at the time of diagnosis are the factors for the risk of developing breast cancer before the age of 40 years.

Keywords: Breast cancer; dietary habits; physical activity; women aged under and over 40 years

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