How prevalent is a cancer-protective lifestyle? Adherence to the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research cancer prevention recommendations in Switzerland.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional population-based survey
PubMed 36539343 · doi:10.1017/S0007114522003968
What was done
Analyzed data from the Swiss population-based, cross-sectional survey (menuCH) to quantify adherence to the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) cancer prevention recommendations. An adherence score was constructed, and multinomial logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between adherence levels and sociodemographic or lifestyle characteristics.
What was found
The recommendations least frequently met were dietary fiber intake (13.7%), red and processed meat limits (25.4%), and ultra-processed food consumption limits (33.3%). Physical activity recommendations were met by nearly 80%. An adherence score of >= 5 was significantly more common among women (compared to men) and individuals with tertiary education (compared to secondary education), whereas current smokers were less likely to achieve a score of >= 5 than never smokers.
Why it matters
Highlights specific lifestyle shortfalls—especially around fiber, meat, and processed food intake—that can guide targeted public health nutrition policies and cancer prevention strategies.
Limits
The abstract does not state the total participant sample size. The cross-sectional design prevents causal conclusions, lifestyle behaviors relied on survey measures susceptible to reporting bias, and actual cancer outcomes were not evaluated.
Cited by
- supports Approximately 88% of the population in Switzerland meets physical activity recommendations.