ASPO Abstracts
Racial Differences in Weight Perception among Black and White Breast Cancer Patients
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2022
Abstract Body:
Purpose: Black women are more likely than White women to be obese, and obesity is associated with worse breast cancer prognosis. Weight perception, however, has not been studied as a potential mediator of racial disparities in women with breast cancer. In this study we sought to describe racial differences and the association of lifestyle factors with weight perception. Methods: In this cross-sectional study design, Black and White women with a new primary breast cancer were surveyed about socio-demographics, weight perception, diet, and exercise habits. Height and weight were measured at enrollment. We classified women with a BMI ‚â•25 or waist circumference >88cm who reported that they were "about the right weight"¬ù as under-perceivers. Chi-square (or Fisher's exact) tests were used to assess factors associated with under-perception of weight. Logistic regression models were fit to evaluate for racial differences in under-perception while controlling for other covariates. Results: Of 1,197 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, the average age was 58 years, and 909 (75%) were White. 918 (76%) had stage I cancer, 1,035 (87%) had estrogen receptor positive cancer, and 795 (66%) were privately insured at time of diagnosis. 789 (65%) women had abdominal obesity (waist circumference >88cm), while 366 (30%) women had a BMI>25. Overall, 24% of women were under-perceivers. Black women were more likely to be obese (51% vs. 23%, p<0.0001), have lower physical activity (13% vs. 5%, p<0.0001), and were more likely to be under-perceivers (23% vs. 14% p<0.0001). After controlling for, age, education, and stage, Black women remained more likely to under-perceive their weight compared to Whites for BMI>25(OR:2.4; 95% CI: 1.3-4.3) and waist circumference>88 (OR:3.09; 95% CI:1.9-4.9). Additionally, when women met physical activity guidelines, their likelihood of under-perception of weight was lower compared to those who did not meet physical activity guidelines with BMI >25 (OR:0.3;95%CI: 0.2-0.6), regardless of race.Conclusions: We found racial differences in weight perceptions among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Since obesity is associated with worse breast cancer outcomes, weight under-perception may be an optimal modifiable factor to intervene upon.
Keywords: Obesity, breast cancer patients, weight perception