Journal of Nutrition Research
An official journal of IAPEN India association
Journal of Nutrition Research
DOI: 10.55289/jnutres/v13i2.25.129
Year: 2025, Volume: 13, Issue: 2, Pages: 55-58
Original Article
Vandana Verma1, Rabiya 2*, Deep Shankar Pruthi3, Shyam Aggarwal4, Shikha Halder5
1Principal Dietician, Dietetics Department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi – 110060, India.
2Dietician, Dietetics Department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi – 110060, India.
3Associate Consultant, Radiation Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi –110060, India.
4Chairperson, Medical Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi – 110060, India.
5Chairperson, Radiation Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi – 110060, India
*Corresponding Author
Email: [email protected]
Received Date:04 December 2025, Accepted Date:20 December 2025, Published Date:24 December 2025
Background: Cancer and its treatments often impair nutritional status, yet dietary counselling remains underutilized. Objectives: To assess the short-term impact of individualized dietary counselling on nutritional intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, and functional outcomes in cancer patients. Methods: A 15-day prospective observational study was conducted among 169 adult cancer patients at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. Dietary intake was measured using a 24-hour recall, and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Energy, protein, and gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated before and after counselling. Results: Energy intake increased from 1123.8 kcal to 1331.7 kcal (+18.5%, p<0.05) and protein from 42.3 to 52.9 g (+25%, p<0.05). Head and neck cancer patients showed better improvements: energy +21.9% and protein +33.0% (p<0.001). Significant reductions were observed in constipation, swallowing difficulty, vomiting, and diarrhoea, with appetite improving in over 52.6% and supplement use rising to 71.7%. Conclusion: Individualized dietary counselling resulted in significant short-term improvements in intake, symptoms, and functional status. Early, structured nutrition support should be integrated into routine oncology care.
Keywords: Cancer nutrition; Dietary counselling; Nutritional intake; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Head and neck cancer; Oncology care
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Published By India Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (IAPEN)
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