title: Diet modification in lowering plasma cholesterol levels. A randomised trial of three types of intervention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of three types of diet and lifestyle interventions for lowering plasma lipid levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised parallel-group trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults with plasma cholesterol levels of 5.5-8.0 mmol/L attending two Sydney community health screening clinics were asked to participate: 179 agreed and 131 completed the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pamphlet with brief advice; group dietary counselling; or individual counselling. Counselling included three sessions with a dietitian/nutritionist over six months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma total cholesterol levels measured by Reflotron analyser; fasting serum lipid levels measured by standard laboratory methods; and calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly lower plasma total cholesterol levels (Reflotron) were observed at two months and at six months with each of the three interventions. Additionally, both types of dietitian-based counselling resulted in small but significant decreases in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at six months in a subset of subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there were no statistically significant differences in efficacy between the three types of intervention, dietitians have a role to play in setting up such counselling programs.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ridler-Dutton
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spechler
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Stokes
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Wyndham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005215:Fasting; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol