Table 1.
Research themes and examples of selected topics in grants by NCI energy-balance goal area
| NCI Energy-Balance Goals | % of Grant Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Goal 1: Discover how body weight, physical activity, and diet, along with genetic and environmental factors, interact over a lifetime to influence the cancer process. | 37.8 |
| EXAMPLES OF TOPICS | |
| Animal model/basic science | |
| Molecular-nutrient interactions; fiber, gut microflora and epigenetic events; refined fructose; insulin and IGF-1 pathways; inflammation and obesity; Tsc-Mtor pathway in energy metabolism; metabolic syndrome and fatty acid synthesis; exercise mediated protection against brain metastases | |
| Descriptive/observational | |
| Dietary patterns and diet quality; foods ads and PSAs on obesity; genetic and endocrine pathways in obesity; IGF and IL-6 dysregulation; physical activity and smoking; effects of caffeine, exercise, and lipectomy; obesity and H. pylori; maternal obesity and intrauterine gene expression | |
| Intervention/RCTs | |
| Effects of exercise on melatonin and sleep; self-determination theory and lifestyle behaviors; body size and physical activity; adolescent diet and hormones; postprandial glycemic response by dietary glycemic load; effects of smart community growth on obesity prevention | |
| Goal 2: Monitor trends in and determinants of diet, weight, and physical activity and their cancer-related consequences across diverse populations by expanding nationwide research and health surveillance infrastructure. | 5.8 |
| Examples of topics (all are descriptive/observational) | |
| Neighborhood food availability, consumer economics and sentinel foods; trends in economic position and diet; diet, activity, obesity and built environment; multilevel exploration of obesity risk; weight gain in cancer survivors; lifecourse energy balance and cancer risk | |
| Goal 3: Develop improved measurement of body mass and composition, physical activity and fitness, and diet and bioactive food components through self-report measures and advances in technology for objective reference measures. | 11.6 |
| Examples of topics | |
| Survey to assess diet and activity environments in the home; validation of web-based dietary assessment tools; real-time recording of diet and physical activity; tool to develop food availability in the home; tool for geospatial analysis of physical activity; validation of preschool and high school diet recall | |
| Goal 4: Improve cancer-related health outcomes, especially in high-risk populations, by accelerating research in energy balance–related behaviors and developing interventions. | 44.8 |
| Examples of topics (most are intervention/RCT) | |
| Reducing cancer recurrence with weight loss; family eats, cancer prevention; diet composition and weight control; Mediterranean diet; supermarkets and diet behaviors; exercise for bone health in cancer survivors; physical activity and lymphedema; active video games and physical activity; worksite wellness for the web; school policy and youth obesity prevention; resistance training and smoking cessation | |
Note: Percentage of portfolio corresponds to the number of grants. The specific cancers addressed are not listed under topic areas.
NCI, National Cancer Institute