THE IMPACT OF A WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ON BODY COMPOSITION AND SELF-PRESENTATION CONCERNS IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER
PURPOSE: According to the American Cancer Society, about 249,260 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2016. Due to the side effects of treatment, women may have to manage fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and distortion or loss of the breast itself. These side effects can have a negative impact on a woman’s body image causing high levels of social physique anxiety. Previous literature has supported that physical activity positively impacts body composition and social physique anxiety. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between physical activity, body composition and social physique anxiety and to examine the impact of a physical activity and dietary weight management intervention on physical activity levels, body composition and social physique anxiety in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
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