Browsing by Author "Fredman, Jonna"

Aim of this thesis was to assess diet quality in 59-year-old people who one year later were invited to colorectal cancer screening for the first time. Screening attendees’ and non-attendees’ diet quality were compared to non-invited controls of the same age and gender. During 2010, a total of 10 648 questionnaires were sent to people born in 1951. The response rate was 55 %. In further analyses 5840 forms were used. Dietary data was collected with a short, mailed 41-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). For the diet quality evaluation, an index based on Finnish nutrition recommendations (2005) was formed. The index included eight components: low-fat/fat-free milk, rye bread, vegetables, fruits and berries, processed meat, oil and margarine, fish, and sugary foods. All components were scored from 0 to 4 and the total scale was from 0 to 32 points. In the beginning of 2011, the study population was independently randomized into colorectal cancer screening and into a control group not invited for screening. Attendance to screening was 57 % in total and 79 % among questionnaire respondents. Attendees’ and non-attendees’ food quality was compared to that of the controls. Questionnaire respondents scored an average of 19.0 points. Women scored significantly better than men (20.0 and 17.9 respectively). In men the quality of diet was better among screening attendees (18.2) than non-attendees (17.3) or controls (17.9). In women colorectal cancer screening attendees scored better (19.9) than non-attendees (19.6) but the control group scored better than attendees (20.1). This study indicated that the male screening attendees were more health conscious in terms of the quality of diet. In women, no association was seen.