Trajectories of health behaviors across early childhood cancer survivorship

Objective The majority of childhood cancer survivors develop at least one late effect subsequent to treatment (eg, cardiovascular disease and obesity). Consistent engagement in recommended health behaviors may mitigate some of these conditions. Researchers have identified early survivorship as a teachable moment, yet few studies have examined positive health behaviors during this period. Methods Families of children with cancer (ages 5‐17) were initially recruited following a diagnosis or relapse of cancer. Three years post diagnosis, survivors (n = 82, Mage = 13.3, SD = 3.7) and their mothers (n = 103, Mage = 41.1, SD = 7.6) completed a questionnaire assessing exercise, dietary, and sleep patterns among survivors. A follow‐up assessment was conducted 2 years later. Mixed models tested change in health behavior over time. Results At 3‐ and 5‐year post diagnosis, mother and self‐report indicated that few survivors engaged in appropriate levels of low‐intensity exercise, fruit/vegetable intake, and dairy consumption. However, most survivors engaged in recommended levels of high intensity exercise, fast food restriction, and sleep. Health behaviors remained stable over time, except for mother report of sleep duration, which decreased (b = –0.6, P