Feasibility of a Weight Management Program Tailored for Overweight Men with Localized Prostate Cancer - A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Overweight men with prostate cancer are more likely to suffer from recurrence and death following prostatectomy compared with healthy weight men. This study tested the feasibility of delivering a comprehensive program to foster weight loss before and weight maintenance after surgery in overweight men with localized prostate cancer.

Methods: Twenty overweight men scheduled for prostatectomy elected either the intervention (n = 15) or the nonintervention (n = 5). Anthropometrics, biomarkers, diet quality, nutrition literacy, quality of life, and long-term follow-up were assessed in both groups.

Results: The intervention led to 5.55 kg of weight loss including 3.88 kg of fat loss from baseline to surgery (mean = 8.3 weeks). The intervention significantly increased fiber, protein, fruit, nut, and vegetable intake; and decreased trans fats intake during weight loss. The intervention significantly reduced insulin, C-peptide, systolic blood pressure, leptin:adiponectin ratio, and visceral adiposity compared to the nonintervention. Post-surgically, weight loss was maintained. Changes in lipid profiles, nutrition literacy, and follow-up were not statistically significant in either group.

Conclusion: Significant weight loss (≥5%) is feasible with a coaching intervention in overweight men preparing for prostatectomy and is associated with favorable cardiometabolic effects. This study is registered under NCT02252484 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Statement

None of the authors had conflicts of interests to report.

Figures

Figure 1.

Study timeline and schema – Flow diagram showing the study timeline from screening and to follow-up.

Figure 2.

Consort diagram – Flow diagram showing the number of men who were recruited, enrolled and finished the study.

Figure 3.

Change in perioperative weight – Bar graph showing the percent change in weight of men from baseline to 12 weeks post-surgery in both the intervention and nonintervention arms.