[Developing indices for caloric restriction related to World War II--a pilot study].

BACKGROUND

The vast numbers of studies regarding caloric restriction (CR) and breast cancer risk are based on war-related extreme situations. Studying the impact of CR in Jews during World War II (WW II) is challenging due to its variance and duration.

OBJECTIVE

To develop novel research tools in order to assess CR exposure in Jews that occurred more than 60 years ago during WW II.

METHODS

A pilot study based on Israeli women born in Europe in 1926-45, who lived there during WWII. Primary incident breast cancer patients and population-based controls were interviewed using a detailed questionnaire referring to demographic, obstetric factors and WW II experiences. Exposure to WWII-related CR was assessed by several proxy variables based on this information.

RESULTS

The individual hunger score was higher in the exposed cases [mean score 141.06 vs. 130.07 in the controls). The same trend was observed for self perceived hunger score (mean score 2.75 in cases vs. 2.40 in controls) and hunger symptoms score (4.89 vs. 3.56, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The novel research tools are appropriate for comparative assessment of CR exposure in case control studies.