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How women's adopted low-fat diets affect their husbands
A L Shattuck1, E White, A R Kristal
1Cancer Prevention Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98104.
American Journal of Public Health
|September 1, 1992
Summary
A low-fat diet intervention for women in the Women's Health Trial (WHT) also reduced their husbands' fat intake. This suggests family-based dietary changes are effective for widespread healthy eating.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Dietary fat reduction is a key public health goal.
- Interventions targeting women can influence family dietary habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term impact of a low-fat dietary intervention on the husbands of women participating in the Women's Health Trial (WHT).
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study surveyed husbands of WHT participants approximately 12 months after the intervention.
- Dietary and health questionnaires were used to assess fat intake.
- Husbands were categorized into intervention and control groups based on their wives' participation.
Main Results:
- Husbands in the intervention group consumed 4 percentage points less fat (32.9% of energy) compared to the control group (36.9%).
- A wife's attitude and her own fat intake were significant predictors of her husband's dietary fat consumption.
- The intervention's effect on husbands was likely mediated by their adoption of lower-fat foods served at home.
Conclusions:
- Dietary interventions focused on women can lead to reduced fat intake in their husbands.
- This approach may represent a cost-effective strategy for promoting healthy dietary changes within families.
- Family-centered nutrition interventions can yield broader public health benefits.