Dietary Patterns and Cardiovascular Risk in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Findings From the SCCSS-Nutrition Study

PurposeTo identify dietary patterns among adult childhood cancer survivors (CCSs), examine their determinants, and assess whether they differ according to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profiles. MethodsCCSs from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study diagnosed before age 21 years (1976-2005), surviving [≥]5 years and aged [≥]18 years in 2017, completed a food frequency questionnaire (SCCSS-Nutrition). Factor and hierarchical cluster analyses of 52 food groups identified dietary patterns. We categorised CCSs as having CVD, CVD risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol), or being CVD risk-free. Multinomial logistic regression assessed associations between dietary patterns and CVD risk profiles. ResultsAmong 802 CCSs (median age: 35 years; IQR: 29-41; 50% male), we identified five dietary patterns: Mediterranean-inspired diet (22%), Western indulgence diet (38%), Western sweet & fatty diet (26%), restrained indulgence diet (9%), plant-based & alcohol-rich diet (6%). Male sex, younger age, German-speaking region, smoking, and living with others were associated with Western indulgence, Western sweet & fatty, and restrained indulgence diets. Higher Swiss socioeconomic position (Swiss-SEP) and education, and not having children, were associated with the plant-based & alcohol-rich diet, higher Swiss-SEP was also associated with the Western indulgence diet. No associations were observed between dietary patterns and CVD risk profiles. ConclusionsDietary patterns among adult CCSs were socially patterned and differed according to sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, but were not associated with CVD risk profiles. Implications for Cancer SurvivorsDietary counselling and broader lifestyle support should be considered as part of long-term survivorship care for CCSs.