Reply to Comment on “The effectiveness of home versus community-based weight control programmes initiated soon after breast cancer diagnosis: a randomised controlled trial”

Harvie, Michelle; Pegington, Mary; Bundred, Nigel; Campbell, Anna; Belcher, John; Howell, Sacha; Howell, Anthony

Abstract

Our programme aimed to prevent weight gain in healthy weight women and reduce weight in women who were overweight/obese since both may improve outcome and well-being after a diagnosis of breast cancer (BC).1,2 Women in the community arm received initial one-to-one dietetic advice, before entering mixed body mass index (BMI) community groups. Healthy weight women were advised to meet estimated energy requirements, while overweight/obese women were advised to follow a 25% energy restriction to achieve weight loss.

We acknowledge the concern that heavier women may not feel comfortable in mixed BMI groups, as previously reported in weight loss focussed programmes.3 However, our programme was framed as a weight loss/weight gain prevention lifestyle programme to improve future health and quality of life after a diagnosis of BC. There was no evidence of disengagement among heavier women in our study. Mean attendance for group sessions among healthy weight, overweight and obese participants was 64%, 66% and 62%, respectively. In-depth interviews cited advantages in meeting others who were experiencing similar cancer-related problems. Thus, highlighting the importance of the BC diagnosis rather than their weight to the salience of their current situation.

Lifestyle behaviour change programmes in other health settings commonly include subjects of mixed BMI, for example, the UK Diabetes Prevention Programmes includes individuals with haemoglobin A1c > 42 mmol/mol, of whom 27% are a healthy weight, 39% overweight and 33% obese.4 Similarly, cardiac rehabilitation programmes include individuals who are a healthy weight (24%), overweight (37.3%) and obese (38%).5

Citation

Harvie, M., Pegington, M., Bundred, N., Campbell, A., Belcher, J., Howell, S., & Howell, A. (2020). Reply to Comment on “The effectiveness of home versus community-based weight control programmes initiated soon after breast cancer diagnosis: a randomised controlled trial”. British Journal of Cancer, 122(6), 925-926. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-019-0715-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 18, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jan 14, 2020
• Publication Date: Mar 17, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jun 19, 2023
• Journal: British Journal of Cancer
• Print ISSN: 0007-0920
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-1827
• Publisher: Cancer Research UK
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 122
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 925-926
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-019-0715-z
• Keywords: Cancer Research; Oncology
• Additional Information: Received: 9 December 2019; Accepted: 18 December 2019; First Online: 14 January 2020; : Not applicable.; : Not applicable.; : Not applicable.; : The authors declare no competing interests.; : This project was funded by the NIHR RFPB (PB-PG-0407-12313) and Prevent Breast Cancer Limited (Registered Charity Number: 1109839, award GA08-006). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.