Variation of the body composition measured by bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors' participants in the INForma trial

Introduction: Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) is a non-invasive method for measuring body composition. The “InForma” trial has been designed to measure improvement of adherence to a healthy diet and/or to increase physical activity in order to promote weight loss in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer survivors frequently face progressive weight gain and diminution of physical activity. Objectives: The objective of the study was to achieve loss 5% of the baseline body weight (BW). Methods: Two hundred and sixty women were randomized into four arms: Dietary Intervention (DI); Physical Activity Intervention (PAI); Physical Activity and Dietary Intervention (PADI); and Less Intensive Intervention (LII). Intervention included individualized counseling about diet and/or physical activity, phone calls and group meetings. Body composition measurements has been repeatedly assessed using BIVA at baseline, at 6 months and after 2 years. Results: 231 women (89%) completed the 6-month intervention and 166 (64%) were followed until the end of the study period (2 years). 65 women (28%) reached the study goal (loss 5% of the baseline BW) at the 6-month visit. A higher proportion was observed in the DI arm (24, 37%) and in the PADI arm (22, 34%) than in the PAI (8, 12%) or LII arm (11, 17%). Women who achieved the goal experienced on average a BW loss of -7.3kg in DI, -6.8kg in PADI, -5.0kg in PAI and -5.4kg in LII. In these women, greater fat mass (FM) loss was measured in DI (-6.2kg) and PADI (-5.4kg). Instead, women in the PAI arm had the best result in main taining fat free mass (FFM) -0.2kg compared to DI -1.1kg and PADI -1.4kg. After 2 years, the final average BW for all women was higher than that measured at the 6th month, but still lower than at baseline (-1.1kg), with an average FM decrease of -1.8kg, while FFM was almost stable (+0.8kg). Conclusion: The results of this innovative project suggest that nutri tional counseling seems to be more effective for losing BW and for FM reduction in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors. Physical activity counseling seems to be more effective for FM loss, when it is accompanied by nutritional counseling. The results of this trial provide useful information for body weight management in breast cancer survivors.