The costs and effects of a nutritional education program following work-site cholesterol screening.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the costs and impact of a nutrition education program following a cholesterol screening.


METHODS
Forty work-sites were randomly assigned to one of two educational interventions: a "usual" intervention of 5 minutes of counseling, or a "special" intervention of 2 hours of behaviorally based education on dietary changes to lower serum cholesterol. Costs were monitored, and cholesterol levels were retested 6 and 12 months later.


RESULTS
The total per-person cost for screening and the educational intervention was about $50. Cholesterol levels differed little between the two intervention groups 6 months after screening, but after 12 months those in the special intervention worksites showed a 6.5% drop in cholesterol, whereas those at the usual intervention worksites showed a drop of only 3.0%. Hence a 3.5% cholesterol reduction was attributable to the special intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
A behaviorally based nutrition education program following cholesterol screening can have a meaningful impact on long-term cholesterol levels at a low cost. Nutrition education in work-sites may therefore be a useful way to lower the risk of heart disease in communities.
Byers
T
T
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga 30341-3724, USA.
Mullis
R
R
Anderson
J
J
Dusenbury
L
L
Gorsky
R
R
Kimber
C
C
Krueger
K
K
Kuester
S
S
Mokdad
A
A
Perry
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000191:economics
D002784:Cholesterol