benefit, prevention, weight, health, research
Benefit Cancer Prevention Research Study - Alberta Cancer Board
The link between weight and cancer prevention?
Being overweight or obese has been identified in many studies as a risk factor for several chronic diseases including some cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Healthy eating and regular physical activity help in managing one’s weight and can thereby contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases.
The BEFIT Cancer Prevention Study will measure what affects people’s participation in weight-management programs available in Alberta.
The study examines what gets people to enroll in and stay with weight-management programs. It will look at why some people do not complete their program, and the effect of the program on changes in participants’ weight and health, diet behaviour, and physical activity.
Why this study is needed
Half of Albertans are overweight or obese. Nearly 60 percent of Albertans are currently eating less than the recommended five servings of vegetables and fruit per day and 45 percent of Albertans are physically inactive. Managing one’s weight is a valuable cancer prevention tool. We want to find out how to help people manage their weight more effectively.
The study is being conducted by the Alberta Cancer Board’s Cancer Prevention Program and is funded by the Legacy Endowment Project. Results from the study may be used by the government to establish policy.
How this study is done
Participants will be asked to choose a weight-management program in their own community that meets criteria set by the Alberta Cancer Board.
In order for a weight-management program to be approved, it must promote dietary guidelines consistent with Health Canada’s Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide, and must include physical activity. The program must not include the mandatory purchase of supplements or meal replacements, surgical procedures or injections. The programs must offer weekly meetings for a minimum of eight consecutive weeks.
Participants will complete surveys at three, six, nine, 12, 18, and 24 months from the time of enrollment in a program.
Who can participate?
To participate you must meet the following criteria:
- Men and women between 20 and 65 years of age who are fluent in English and who are able to provide informed consent.
- People who fall within a specific range of weight in proportion to height.
- Resident of Alberta within Aspen Health Region, Calgary Health Region, Capital Health Region, Chinook Health Region, Palliser Health Region, Peace Country Health Region.
- Must participate in approved weight-management program and agree to study requirements (i.e. complete surveys, share weight and measurements).
You may not participate if:
- You are pregnant or who suspect you may be pregnant.
- You have participated in a weight-management program within the past 12 months.
 Take the eligibility survey
Did you know?
- Poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and obesity have been strongly linked to the incidence of certain types of cancer.
- People who consume the most fruit and vegetables (especially dark green vegetables) may benefit from a cancer risk reduction of at least 20 percent to upwards of 30 or 50 percent.
- Strong evidence also suggests that people can reduce their risk of getting colon cancer by 40 to 50 percent and breast cancer by 15 to 20 percent with adequate physical activity.
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