Due to a paucity of studies , and the heterogeneity of the studies included in this review , we are unable to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of nutritional interventions for use with childhood cancer survivors .
Although there is low quality evidence for the improvement in health behaviours using health behaviour change interventions , there remains no evidence as to whether this translates into an improvement in dietary intake .
There was also no evidence that the studies reduced the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in childhood cancer survivors , although no evidence of effect is not the same as evidence of no effect .
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer survivors are at a higher risk of developing health conditions such as osteoporosis , and cardiovascular disease than their peers .
Health-promoting behaviour , such as consuming a healthy diet , could lessen the impact of these chronic issues , yet the prevalence rate of health-protecting behaviour amongst survivors of childhood cancer is similar to that of the general population .
Targeted nutritional interventions may prevent or reduce the incidence of these chronic diseases .
OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this review was to assess the efficacy of a range of nutritional interventions design ed to improve the nutritional intake of childhood cancer survivors , as compared to a control group of childhood cancer survivors who did not receive the intervention .
Calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation provides no added benefit to nutritional counseling to improve bone mineral density in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
BACKGROUND We sought to improve lumbar spine bone mineral density ( LS-BMD ) in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( ALL ) using calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation . PROCEDURE This double-blind , placebo-controlled trial r and omized 275 participants ( median age , 17 [ 9 - 36.1 ] years ) with age- and gender-specific LS-BMD Z-scores < 0 to  receive nutritional counseling with supplementation of 1,000 mg/day calcium and 800 International Unit cholecalciferol or placebo for 2 years . The primary outcome was change in LS-BMD assessed by quantitative computerized tomography ( QCT ) at 24 months . Linear regression models were employed to identify the baseline risk factors for low LS-BMD and to compare LS-BMD outcomes . RESULTS Pre-r and omization LS-BMD below the mean was associated with male gender ( P = 0.0024 ) , White race ( P = 0.0003 ) , lower body mass index ( P < 0.0001 ) , and cumulative glucocorticoid doses of ≥ 5,000 mg ( P = 0.0012 ) . One hundred eighty-eight ( 68 % ) participants completed the study ; 77 % adhered to the intervention . Mean LS-BMD change did not differ between survivors r and omized to supplements ( 0.33 ± 0.57 ) or placebo ( 0.28 ± 0.56 ) . Participants aged 9 - 13 years and those 22 - 35 years had the greatest mean increases in LS-BMD ( 0.50 ± 0.66 and 0.37 ± 0.23 , respectively ) . Vitamin D insufficiency ( serum 25[OH]D < 30 ng/ml ) found in 296 ( 75 % ) , was not associated with LS-BMD outcomes ( P = 0.78 ) . CONCLUSION Cholecalciferol and calcium supplementation provides no added benefit to nutritional counseling for improving LS-BMD among adolescent and young adult survivors of ALL ( 93 % of whom had LS-BMD Z-scores above the mean at study entry )
Due to a paucity of studies , and the heterogeneity of the studies included in this review , we are unable to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of nutritional interventions for use with childhood cancer survivors .
Although there is low quality evidence for the improvement in health behaviours using health behaviour change interventions , there remains no evidence as to whether this translates into an improvement in dietary intake .
There was also no evidence that the studies reduced the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in childhood cancer survivors , although no evidence of effect is not the same as evidence of no effect .
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer survivors are at a higher risk of developing health conditions such as osteoporosis , and cardiovascular disease than their peers .
Health-promoting behaviour , such as consuming a healthy diet , could lessen the impact of these chronic issues , yet the prevalence rate of health-protecting behaviour amongst survivors of childhood cancer is similar to that of the general population .
Targeted nutritional interventions may prevent or reduce the incidence of these chronic diseases .
OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this review was to assess the efficacy of a range of nutritional interventions design ed to improve the nutritional intake of childhood cancer survivors , as compared to a control group of childhood cancer survivors who did not receive the intervention .