Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Objectively measured physical activity among US cancer survivors: considerations by weight status

  • Published:
Journal of Cancer Survivorship Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

We have a limited understanding of the objectively determined physical activity levels of cancer survivors at the population level. Further, we have even less of an understanding of this behavior by weight status (i.e., normal weight, overweight, and obese). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe accelerometer-assessed physical activity levels among US cancer survivors and to do so across weight status.

Methods

Data from the 2003–2006 NHANES was used. One hundred twenty-six adult cancer survivors wore an accelerometer for ≥4 days, with weight status determined from measured body mass index.

Results

Approximately 13 % of cancer survivors were sufficiently active (i.e., met current physical activity guidelines). Results were not significant for light-intensity physical activity; however, results showed that obese cancer survivors engaged in 47 % less MVPA than normal weight cancer survivors (rate ratio = 0.53; 95 % CI, 0.29–0.93).

Conclusion

Most adult cancer survivors are insufficiently active and obese cancer survivors engage in less MVPA than their counterparts.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Health care professionals are encouraged to increase cancer survivors’ awareness of the minimum levels of MVPA needed for optimal health, particularly among obese cancer survivors. Additionally, cancer survivors should also be informed of the positive health outcomes associated with light-intensity physical activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ries LAG, Melbert D, Krapcho M, Stinchcomb DG, Howlader N, Horner MJ, et al., editors. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2005. Bethesda: National Cancer Institute; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Loprinzi PD, Cardinal BJ, Winters-Stone K, et al. Physical activity and the risk of breast cancer recurrence: a literature review. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2012;39:269–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Lee IM, Wolin KY, Freeman SE, et al. Physical Activity and Survival after Cancer Diagnosis in Men. J Phys Act Health. 2012

  5. Moskowitz MC, Feuerstein M, Todd BL. Job stress and physical activity related to elevated symptom clusters in breast cancer survivors at work. J Occup Environ Med. 2013;55:93–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Blaney JM, Lowe-Strong A, Rankin-Watt J, et al. Cancer survivors’ exercise barriers, facilitators and preferences in the context of fatigue, quality of life and physical activity participation: a questionnaire-survey. Psychooncology. 2013;22:186–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Chung JY, Lee DH, Park JH, et al. Patterns of physical activity participation across the cancer trajectory in colorectal cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer. 2013;21(6):1605–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhao G, Li C, Li J, et al. Physical activity, psychological distress, and receipt of mental healthcare services among cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2012;7(1):131–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Charlier C, Pauwels E, Lechner L, et al. Physical activity levels and supportive care needs for physical activity among breast cancer survivors with different psychosocial profiles: a cluster-analytical approach. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2012;21:790–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Buffart LM, Thong MS, Schep G, et al. Self-reported physical activity: its correlates and relationship with health-related quality of life in a large cohort of colorectal cancer survivors. PLoS One. 2012;7:e36164.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hsu HT, Huang CS, Liu Y, et al. Exercise behaviors in breast cancer survivors in Taiwan. Cancer Nurs. 2012;35:E48–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Wrosch C, Sabiston CM. Goal adjustment, physical and sedentary activity, and well-being and health among breast cancer survivors. Psychooncology. 2013;22(3):581–9. doi:10.1002/pon.3037.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Paxton RJ, Phillips KL, Jones LA, et al. Associations among physical activity, body mass index, and health-related quality of life by race/ethnicity in a diverse sample of breast cancer survivors. Cancer. 2012;118:4024–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Szymlek-Gay EA, Richards R, Egan R. Physical activity among cancer survivors: a literature review. N Z Med J. 2011;124:77–89.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Shephard RJ. Limits to the measurement of habitual physical activity by questionnaires. Br J Sports Med. 2003;37:197–206. discussion 206.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Shaw K, Gennat H, O’Rourke P, et al. Exercise for overweight or obesity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;CD003817.

  17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/about_nhanes.htm. Accessed 25 Feb 2013.

  18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2010. Overview of NHANES Survey Design and Weights. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/tutorials/environmental/orientation/sample_design/. Accessed 25 Feb 2013.

  19. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: Specifying Weighting Parameters. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/tutorials/NHANES/SurveyDesign/Weighting/OverviewKey.htm#base_weight. Accessed 25 Feb 2013.

  20. Chen KY, Bassett Jr DR. The technology of accelerometry-based activity monitors: current and future. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;37:S490–500.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Troiano RP, Berrigan D, Dodd KW, et al. Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40:181–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2008). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. October 2008. http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/. Accessed 25 Feb 2013.

  23. Tucker JM, Welk GJ, Beyler NK. Physical activity in U.S.: adults compliance with the physical activity guidelines for Americans. Am J Prev Med. 2011;40:454–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. World Health Organization (2000). Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO Consultation. WHO Technical Report Series 894. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2000.

  25. Hawkins MS, Storti KL, Richardson CR, et al. Objectively measured physical activity of USA adults by sex, age, and racial/ethnic groups: a cross-sectional study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2009;6:31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Herrmann SD, Barreira TV, Kang M, et al. (2013) How many hours are enough? Accelerometer wear time may provide bias in daily activity estimates. J Phys Act Health (in press).

  27. Ball K, Salmon J, Giles-Corti B, et al. How can socio-economic differences in physical activity among women be explained? A qualitative study. Women Health. 2006;43:93–113.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kaptein SA, Badley EM. Sex differences, age, arthritis, and chronic disease: influence on physical activity behaviors. J Phys Act Health. 2012;9:540–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Specifying Weight Parameters. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/tutorials/NHANES/SurveyDesign/Weighting/Task2.htm. Accessed 25 Feb 2013.

  30. Smith WA, Nolan VG, Robison LL, et al. Physical activity among cancer survivors and those with no history of cancer—a report from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2006. Am J Transl Res. 2011;3:342–50.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical activity and health: a report of the surgeon general. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 1996.

  32. Loprinzi PD, Lee H, Cardinal BJ. Dose response association between physical activity and biological, demographic, and perception of health variables. Obes Facts. 2013 (in press).

  33. Cardinal BJ, Levy SS, John DH, et al. Counseling patients for physical activity. Am J Med Sports. 2002;4:364–71.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Bennett JA, Lyons KS, Winters-Stone K, et al. Motivational interviewing to increase physical activity in long-term cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Nurs Res. 2007;56:18–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Resnicow K, DiIorio C, Soet JE, et al. Motivational interviewing in health promotion: it sounds like something is changing. Health Psychol. 2002;21:444–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Resnicow K, McMaster F, Rollnick S. Action reflections: a client-centered technique to bridge the WHY-HOW transition in motivational interviewing. Behav Cogn Psychother. 2012;40(4):474–80. doi:10.1017/S1352465812000124.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Resnicow K, McMaster F. Motivational Interviewing: moving from why to how with autonomy support. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2012;9:19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Miller WR, Rollnick S. Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change. 2nd ed. New York: Guilford Press; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise Science, Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY, 40205, USA

    Paul D. Loprinzi

  2. Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Sangmyung University, Seoul, South Korea

    Hyo Lee

  3. Program in Exercise and Sport Science, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Bradley J. Cardinal

Authors
  1. Paul D. Loprinzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hyo Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bradley J. Cardinal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul D. Loprinzi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Loprinzi, P.D., Lee, H. & Cardinal, B.J. Objectively measured physical activity among US cancer survivors: considerations by weight status. J Cancer Surviv 7, 493–499 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-013-0293-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-013-0293-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation