A dietary intervention trial for nutritional management of cardiovascular risk factors

A multicenter clinical trial was performed in 560 patients to assess the effectiveness of a prepackaged diet plan compared with self-selected American Heart Association Step 1 and Step 2 diets in lowering risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with mild to moderate disease. The results of the 10-week intervention study indicate that diets meeting the current recommendations for healthful diets significantly lower biochemical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Although the prepackaged dietary program achieved greater patient compliance in meeting dietary goals in the free-living condition compared with the self-selected diet, the long-term outpatient compliance with these diets needs further study. It is also unclear what role prepackage diets will play in the overall dietary management of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.