One-year results from a brief, computer-assisted intervention to decrease consumption of fat and increase consumption...

Area of Science:

• Preventive Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Health Behavior Change

Background:

• Current cancer prevention guidelines emphasize reduced fat and increased fruit/vegetable intake.
• Dietary patterns significantly influence cancer risk and overall health outcomes.
• Targeting dietary habits is a key strategy in preventive healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a moderate-intensity nutrition intervention on dietary habits.
• To assess changes in fat consumption and fruit/vegetable intake over a 12-month period.
• To determine the impact of the intervention on serum cholesterol levels.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 616 healthy women aged 40-70.
• Intervention group received counseling sessions focused on reducing dietary fat and increasing fruit/vegetable intake.
• Control group received a non-diet-related intervention.
• Dietary intake assessed via food frequency questionnaires and the Fat and Fiber Behavior Questionnaire (FFBQ).

Main Results:

• Intervention participants showed significant improvements in all dietary outcomes after 12 months.
• Reduced percentage of energy from fat (3.75 points) and increased fruit/vegetable servings (0.93/day).
• Significant reduction in behavioral fat consumption (0.20 point change on FFBQ); no significant change in serum cholesterol.

Conclusions:

• Moderate-intensity dietary interventions can yield significant, lasting improvements in eating habits.
• Such interventions are effective for at least one year in appropriate populations.
• Dietary modification is a viable strategy for cancer prevention and health maintenance.