Age-Related Differences in Western Lifestyle Patterns (Saturated Fat and Fried Meat Consumption) and Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background/aim: Nutritional factors and adherence to a Western dietary pattern increased cancer risk. This study aimed to evaluate age-related differences in Western lifestyle patterns, particularly saturated fat and fried meat consumption, and characteristics of younger and older colorectal cancer patients. Materials and methods: A total of 50 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, aged between 21 and 70 years, were included in this cross-sectional study conducted at Rizgary Hospital in Erbil, Iraq. Data were collected using an interview-based questionnaire that included a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A Western dietary pattern score was calculated for each participant. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Most 58% of participants were elderly males. 54% showed high adherence to a Western dietary pattern, and decreased with increasing age. The majority of patients (70%) had consumed nitrosamine compounds derived from fried red meat. Most patients reported a low intake of yoghurt, milk, and water. Elderly patients had a lower daily kebab consumption (OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.76–0.99), and a higher intake of saturated fat compared with younger individuals. In contrast, a daily cholesterol intake and fried, red meat and chicken (OR = 4.4; 95% CI: 1.3–14.8) were significantly higher among younger patients compared with the elderly Conclusion: The majority of patients demonstrated high adherence to a Western lifestyle, elderly patients had high saturated fat intake, and reduced water intake. In contrast, younger patients showed a high intake of meat-derived oxidised cholesterol and nitrosamine compounds.