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The purpose of this work was to further understand nutritional status, especially body weight and composition, during colorectal cancer progression. Population-based studies of colorectal cancer patients were conducted using administrative health data (primary and co-morbid diseases, demographics), and computed tomography (CT) imaging (body composition). In cohort 1, administrative health data was used to study comorbidities and nutritional status in 574 colorectal cancer patients referred for chemotherapy. Multivariate Cox regression revealed several comorbidities, performance status and weight loss 20% predicted survival. In cohort 2, a serial CT image analysis assessed longitudinal body composition changes during the last 12 months preceding death from colorectal cancer (n=34). Body composition changes were typified by exponential increases in liver metastases with concurrent accelerations of muscle and fat loss. These results have the potential to make a difference in how colorectal cancer patients are treated and researched by dietitians, oncologists, and health services researchers. / Nutrition and Metabolism