Dietary factors associated with breast cancer among women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies

BackgroundDiet is the primary and largely modifiable factor associated with breast cancer risk. However, inconsistent findings were evidenced in many epidemiological studies and resulted in a lack of conclusiveness. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore dietary risk fa...

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Main Authors: Habitamu Mekonen, Ayenew Negesse, Melese Linger Endalifer, Gebeyaw Molla, Zelalem Aneley
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1499634/full
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author Habitamu Mekonen
Ayenew Negesse
Melese Linger Endalifer
Gebeyaw Molla
Zelalem Aneley
author_facet Habitamu Mekonen
Ayenew Negesse
Melese Linger Endalifer
Gebeyaw Molla
Zelalem Aneley
author_sort Habitamu Mekonen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundDiet is the primary and largely modifiable factor associated with breast cancer risk. However, inconsistent findings were evidenced in many epidemiological studies and resulted in a lack of conclusiveness. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore dietary risk factors that may predict breast cancer among Ethiopian women.Design, data source and eligibility criteriaA systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out. The articles were retrieved through electronic databases searching, including PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, EMBASE and Google Scholar. The Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument was applied for the critical appraisal. All case–control studies conducted in Ethiopia and reporting dietary factors of breast cancer in women were included in the final analysis.Data extractionTwo independent reviewers extracted the data using a standardized data extraction format in Excel software. Stata version 17 software was used for the data analysis. Cochran’s Q statistic with inverse variance (I2) was used to assess the presence of heterogeneity. A random effect model was used to estimate the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval.ResultsOverall, eight eligible articles with 2,774 women were included to explore the dietary predictors of breast cancer in Ethiopia. As a result, alcohol consumption (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.57), packed food intake (OR: 6.83; 95% CI: 4.56, 10.24), saturated fat/oil intake (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.02), meat consumption (OR: 6.08, 95% CI: 3.62, 10.22), and vegetable consumption (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.89) were identified as significant predictors of breast cancer among women in Ethiopia.ConclusionThe current study revealed a significant relationship between dietary factors and breast cancer. Avoiding the consumption of alcohol, saturated fats/oils, packed foods, and meat, coupled with promotion of vegetable consumption, could substantially contribute to reduce the burden of breast cancer among women in Ethiopia. Therefore, policymakers and other concerned bodies should provide routine community-based nutrition education to raise public awareness about the contribution of women’s dietary practices on their breast cancer risk.
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spelling doaj-art-92b35a44518a4b36a1ccfbde711a15472025-08-20T02:13:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-02-011210.3389/fnut.2025.14996341499634Dietary factors associated with breast cancer among women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studiesHabitamu Mekonen0Ayenew Negesse1Melese Linger Endalifer2Gebeyaw Molla3Zelalem Aneley4Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, EthiopiaDepartment of Human Nutrition, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, EthiopiaDepartment of Human Nutrition, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, EthiopiaDepartment of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaDepartment of Human Nutrition, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, EthiopiaBackgroundDiet is the primary and largely modifiable factor associated with breast cancer risk. However, inconsistent findings were evidenced in many epidemiological studies and resulted in a lack of conclusiveness. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore dietary risk factors that may predict breast cancer among Ethiopian women.Design, data source and eligibility criteriaA systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out. The articles were retrieved through electronic databases searching, including PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, EMBASE and Google Scholar. The Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument was applied for the critical appraisal. All case–control studies conducted in Ethiopia and reporting dietary factors of breast cancer in women were included in the final analysis.Data extractionTwo independent reviewers extracted the data using a standardized data extraction format in Excel software. Stata version 17 software was used for the data analysis. Cochran’s Q statistic with inverse variance (I2) was used to assess the presence of heterogeneity. A random effect model was used to estimate the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval.ResultsOverall, eight eligible articles with 2,774 women were included to explore the dietary predictors of breast cancer in Ethiopia. As a result, alcohol consumption (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.57), packed food intake (OR: 6.83; 95% CI: 4.56, 10.24), saturated fat/oil intake (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.02), meat consumption (OR: 6.08, 95% CI: 3.62, 10.22), and vegetable consumption (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.89) were identified as significant predictors of breast cancer among women in Ethiopia.ConclusionThe current study revealed a significant relationship between dietary factors and breast cancer. Avoiding the consumption of alcohol, saturated fats/oils, packed foods, and meat, coupled with promotion of vegetable consumption, could substantially contribute to reduce the burden of breast cancer among women in Ethiopia. Therefore, policymakers and other concerned bodies should provide routine community-based nutrition education to raise public awareness about the contribution of women’s dietary practices on their breast cancer risk.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1499634/fullbreast cancerwomendietrisk factorsEthiopia
spellingShingle Habitamu Mekonen
Ayenew Negesse
Melese Linger Endalifer
Gebeyaw Molla
Zelalem Aneley
Dietary factors associated with breast cancer among women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies
Frontiers in Nutrition
breast cancer
women
diet
risk factors
Ethiopia
title Dietary factors associated with breast cancer among women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies
title_full Dietary factors associated with breast cancer among women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies
title_fullStr Dietary factors associated with breast cancer among women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies
title_full_unstemmed Dietary factors associated with breast cancer among women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies
title_short Dietary factors associated with breast cancer among women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies
title_sort dietary factors associated with breast cancer among women in ethiopia a systematic review and meta analysis of case control studies
topic breast cancer
women
diet
risk factors
Ethiopia
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1499634/full
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