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The effect of medical nutrition therapy on changes in dietary knowledge and DASH diet adherence in older adults with cardiovascular disease

  • The Effect of MNT on Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease
  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

To examine the effect of MNT on dietary knowledge of older adults at baseline, 6 months and 12 months and to assess the effect of dietary knowledge on change in DASH diet adherence from baseline to 12 months.

Design

Data for the analysis come from a controlled, randomized prospective design conducted from 2003–2005 with the outcome measures taken pre-, mid-, and post-intervention.

Setting

Data were collected from participants in their homes in an urban community in North Carolina.

Participants

Participants (N=147) were adults aged 60+ with a diagnosis of hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia.

Intervention

Intervention recipients received three sessions of MNT throughout the 1 year study period. The control group received nutrition information at enrollment.

Measurements

Participants completed a dietary knowledge questionnaire and a 24 dietary recall at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Instrumental variables models with participant fixed effects were used to determine the impact of MNT on dietary knowledge and dietary knowledge on DASH diet adherence.

Results

Among those who received MNT, dietary knowledge increased from baseline to twelve months (p<.01). Changes in dietary knowledge were not associated with changes in DASH adherence from baseline to 12 months (p=0.44).

Conclusions

The MNT administered was effective at improving dietary knowledge, but not at improving DASH adherence. Three MNT sessions may be insufficient to change behavior. Integrating behavioral change theory and cultural sensitivity to MNT may improve diet adherence among diverse older adults.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223-0001, USA

    E. Racine & J. Warren-Findlow

  2. Department of Economics, Belk College of Business, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223-0001, USA

    J. L. Troyer

  3. Communication Department, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    William J. McAuley

Authors
  1. E. Racine
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  2. J. L. Troyer
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  3. J. Warren-Findlow
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  4. William J. McAuley
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Correspondence to E. Racine.

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Racine, E., Troyer, J.L., Warren-Findlow, J. et al. The effect of medical nutrition therapy on changes in dietary knowledge and DASH diet adherence in older adults with cardiovascular disease. J Nutr Health Aging 15, 868–876 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0102-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0102-9

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