| Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common forms of cancer among women, and the rate of disease is expected to increase significantly in the next several years. Ethnically diverse EC survivors may be at increased risk for comorbidities or cancer recurrence because of lower physical activity participation and higher rates of obesity.;A systematic review of physical activity interventions for overweight and obese female cancer survivors was conducted. The first study was a cross-sectional study, which assessed the differences between 62 active and inactive Bronx EC survivors for body mass index (BMI), quality of life and physical activity behavioral variables. The second study of this dissertation was a wait-list controlled trial for 28 obese to determine the feasibility of a 12-week physical activity intervention in this population.;The primary findings from the systematic review were that center-based physical activity interventions were feasible and led to an increase in physical activity for overweight and obese female cancer survivors.;The first study found that 65% of the sample was obese, and 47% reported being physically active. The Active group reported significantly higher quality of life of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy -- Endometrial questionnaire (FACT-En: 154 +/- 13 vs. 145 +/- 20, d=0.57, p<0.05), compared to the Insufficiently Active group. BMI was 3.3 kg•m -2 lower in the active group (d=0.40, p=0.057). The active group also reported higher walking self-efficacy, barrier self-efficacy and outcome expectations (p<0.05).;In the third study, adherence to the physical activity intervention was 60%, and the dropout rate was modest, indicating that the intervention was feasible. Participants who completed the program had significantly greater increase in six-minute walk test distance (+22 meters) and quality of life (+10 points) compared to the control p<0.05).;These studies show that this population has an elevated need for physical activity interventions that can promote the adoption of physical activity. Physically active EC survivors have better health and employ in more behavioral processes than their Insufficiently Active counterparts. A 12-week physical activity intervention was feasible and supports the potential effectiveness of a physical activity interventions. |
