The Effect of Diet Intervention in Breast Cancer: A Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet intervention in breast cancer patients through meta-analysis. METHODS: For the study purpose, 18 studies were selected using PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest and CINAHL. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model, and the effect size on outcome variables in breast cancer were calculated. RESULTS: The effect size for body mass index, body weight, energy intake from fat (%), and energy intake of diet intervention was −0.75 (95% CI−1.22~−0.27), −0.93 (95% CI−1.58~−0.28), −0.82 (95% CI−1.11~−0.52), and −1.10 (95% CI−1.85~−0.34). For heterogeneity, moderator analysis was performed using intervention type and intervention duration. As a result of the moderator analysis, BMI, body weight, energy intake from fat (%), and energy intake were not statistically significant on intervention type and intervention duration. But, only BMI had a significant difference on intervention duration (p=.013). CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to determine whether exercise intervention will be included in nutritional intervention for breast cancer patients. Also, even if the duration of the intervention is less than six months, a strategy for sustaining long-term intervention effects will be needed.