Identifying food behavior profiles among adult US cancer survivors: a latent class analysis

This study sought to identify subgroups of adult cancer survivors with distinct food behavior patterns and to examine group characteristics.

Data from adult cancer survivors, ages 20–64, in the 2007–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used to conduct latent class analyses to identify food behavior subgroups, based on five indicator variables. Associations between latent food behavior class membership and key sociodemographic and cancer-related characteristics were examined using adjusted multinomial regression models.

Four unique food behavior classes were identified and named, characterized by the degree to which they purchased and consumed convenience foods: Home Cooks (48.4% of the sample), Non-Cooks/Eats Out (29.8%), Need Convenience (11.3%), and Quick Food at Home (10.5%). Shorter time since diagnosis was associated with higher adjusted relative risk ratios (ARRR) of belonging to the Non-Cooks/Eats Out class (ARRR 12.4, 95% CI 2.3, 68.0) and the Quick Food at Home class (ARRR 18.6, 95% CI 3.5, 98.4). Older age, lower educational attainment, and larger household size were also associated with a higher likelihood of belonging to the Quick Food at Home class.

There are certain patterns of food behaviors among cancer survivors, and these patterns are related to both cancer-related and sociodemographic factors.

As food purchasing and consumption behaviors are precursors to dietary outcomes, identifying the food behavior profiles of cancer survivors may help providers recognize those who could benefit from dietary interventions or supports and receive the necessary resources that would support patients in improving their diets.