Correlates of poor adherence to a healthy lifestyle among a diverse group of colorectal cancer survivors

Purpose Lifestyle factors may have a synergistic effect on health. We evaluated the correlates of poor adherence to a healthy lifestyle among a diverse sample of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors to inform future lifestyle promotion programs. Methods Lifestyle questions from a cross-sectional survey were completed by 283 CRC survivors (41% Hispanic, 40% rural, 33% low income). Adherence to recommendations (yes/no) for physical activity, fruit and vegetable servings/day, avoiding tobacco, and healthy weight was summed to create an overall lifestyle quality score. Polytomous logistic regression was used to evaluate correlates of good (reference group), moderate, and poor overall lifestyle quality. Potential correlates included sociodemographic characteristics, cancer-related factors, and indicators of health and well-being. Results CRC survivors with poor adherence were 2- to 3.4-fold significantly more likely to report multiple comorbidities, poor physical functioning, fatigue, anxiety/depressive symptoms, and poor social participation. In multivariable analyses, poor physical functioning was the only significant correlate of poor adherence to lifestyle recommendations, compared to good adherence [OR (95% CI) 3.4 (1.8–6.4)]. The majority of survivors, 71% and 78%, indicated interest in receiving information on exercise and eating a healthy diet, respectively. Conclusion Future lifestyle promotion programs for CRC survivors should carefully consider indicators of physical and psychosocial health and well-being, especially poor physical functioning, in the design, recruitment, and implementation of these health programs.