The impact of nutrition support on body composition in cancer outpatients receiving radiotherapy

Abstract.

This study investigated the change in body composition in 36 cancer outpatients receiving radiotherapy to the head and neck area (mean age: 63 ± 15 years) randomised to receive either nutrition intervention (NI; n=15) or usual care (UC; n=21). Body weight and composition were measured at the commencement of radiotherapy and 3 months later. The UC group lost significantly more weight; mean decrease = 4.3 kg, than the NI group: mean decrease = 1.1 kg (t₍₃₀₎=-2.5, p=0.019). Fat-free mass loss was significantly higher in the UC group with a mean loss of 2.2 kg versus 0.3 kg in the NI group (t₍₃₀₎=- 2.3, p=0.029). Body composition as measured by foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis provides more information than weight alone and can allow for tailoring of NI.