Document Type : Original Article(s)
Authors
- Mohsen Mohit 1
- Sayedeh Zahra Hosseini 2
- Mohammadreza Ravanbod 3
- Seyed Vahid Hosseini 4
- Najmeh Hejazi 5
1 Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
3 Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 Colorectal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5 Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for both men and women. This study aimed to explore the association between dietary patterns and the odds of colorectal cancer in an Iranian adult population.
Method: This observational case-control study was conducted at three educational and therapeutic centers affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 207 participants were enrolled in the study, comprising 103 individuals with colorectal cancer (case group) and 104 individuals without colorectal cancer (control group). The participants' dietary intake was assessed using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire comprising 117 items. Dietary patterns were analyzed using principal component analysis, and their relationship with colorectal cancer was investigated using logistic regression, reporting odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Two main dietary patterns were identified in this study; the high-fiber pattern (HFP) and the unhealthy pattern (UHP). These patterns explained 11.46% and 11.98% of the total variance, respectively. An HFP was significantly associated with reduced odds of colorectal cancer in both the crude and adjusted models. Conversely, adherence to a UHP was significantly associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in both crude and adjusted models.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that adherence to an HFP is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, whereas adherence to a UHP is associated with an increased risk. Overall, these results underscore the importance of modifying dietary habits as a strategic approach to the prevention of colorectal cancer among the adult population in Iran.
Highlights
Najmeh Hejazi (google scholar)
Keywords
Main Subjects
Please cite this article as: Mohit M, Hosseini SZ, Ravanbod M, Hosseini SV, Hejazi N. Association of Dietary Patterns and the Odds of Colorectal Cancer in a Sample of the Population in Southern Iran: An Observational Case-Control Study. Middle East J Cancer. 2026: in press. doi: 10.30476/mejc.2026.110553.2401.
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