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A bilingual dietary intervention early in treatment is feasible and prevents weight gain in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Author(s) -
Walters Michelle,
Mowbray Catriona,
Jubelirer Tracey,
Jacobs Shana,
Kelly Kara M.,
Smith Karen,
Yao Yujing,
Jin Zhezhen,
Ladas Elena J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.28910
Subject(s) - medicine , weight gain , anthropometry , childhood obesity , intervention (counseling) , glycemic , pediatrics , body mass index , obesity , overweight , physical therapy , body weight , insulin , psychiatry
Background Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy. The onset of obesity during childhood ALL has been well established and is associated with inferior survival rates and increased treatment‐related toxicities. This pilot study sought to determine if a dietary intervention is feasible and minimizes weight gain during the initial phases of treatment for ALL. Methods Participants were recruited from four institutions, fluent in English or Spanish, between 5 and 21 years old, and enrolled within 3 days of starting induction therapy. Participants were counseled for 6 months to follow a low glycemic diet. Dietary and anthropometric data were collected at diagnosis, end of induction, and end of month 6 (NCT03157323). Results Twenty‐three of 28 participants (82.1%) were evaluable and included in the analysis. Dietary changes targeted by the nutrition intervention were successful; sugar intake declined ( P = .00 3), whereas vegetable intake increased ( P = .0 33). The majority of participants were able to adhere to the dietary principles prescribed: ≥70.0% reduced glycemic load and ≥60.0% increased fiber intake and decreased sugar intake. Importantly, we did not observe an increase in body mass index z ‐score during induction or over the 6‐month intervention period. Most families found the nutrition intervention easy to follow (60%) and affordable (95%) despite simultaneous initiation of treatment for ALL. Conclusions A 6‐month nutrition intervention initiated during the initial phase of treatment for childhood ALL is feasible and may prevent weight gain. Our preliminary findings need to be confirmed in a larger clinical trial.