Dietary quality and intake of cancer caregivers: A systematic review of quantitative studies and recommendations for future research

Dietary quality and intake of cancer caregivers: A systematic review of quantitative studies and recommendations for future research

Aims: With more people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis, the supportive role of informal caregivers is becoming increasingly vital. Despite the emotional, physical, and financial burdens of caregiving, its impact on health behaviours, including diet, has been largely overlooked. This systematic review synthesised current quantitative evidence on the dietary quality and intake of cancer caregivers.

Methods: Five electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science) were searched in February 2024 for articles published within the past decade that quantitatively assessed the dietary quality or intake of cancer caregivers. Articles were independently screened by two reviewers. Data were extracted on study design, sample characteristics, methods, and outcomes relevant to dietary quality or intake.

Results: From 12,584 records identified, 22 met eligibility criteria. Most studies used cross-sectional designs (77%), were conducted in the United States (68%), and included partners of people diagnosed with cancer (68%). Dietary quality and intake were assessed across three domains: (i) energy and nutrient intake, (ii) food and food group intake, and (iii) overall diet quality and intake patterns. There is some evidence that caring for a person with cancer negatively impacts diet, with caregivers found to have inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and low to moderate diet quality. However, evidence is mixed and limited by constraints in study design, such as reliance on studyspecific questionnaires and retrospective recall, lack of reporting on the direction of dietary changes, and difficulties comparing findings with dietary guidelines. Heterogeneity among the studies also limited their comparability.

Conclusions: Quantitative evidence of the dietary quality and intake of cancer caregivers is largely inconclusive. To better understand the impact of caregiving on diet and strengthen survivorship research and care, larger, longitudinal studies using validated measures and comparisons to individual or population-based guidelines are needed.

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.