Impact of receiving blood cholesterol test results on dietary change.
BACKGROUND
The study objective was to determine the impact of receiving results of a blood cholesterol test on changes in dietary behaviors among individuals participating in a Health Risk Appraisal Program.


METHODS
This randomized trial of maintenance employees at six hospitals included two groups: Group 1 received their blood cholesterol test results at the pretest; Group 2 received results only at the posttest (16-20 weeks later). The pretest interview included (1) a 24-hour dietary recall; (2) an evaluation of dietary behaviors and suggestions on how to change; (3) height, weight, and blood cholesterol measurement. Five hundred employees participated, and 429 eligible employees completed both pretest and posttest interviews.


RESULTS
Blood cholesterol levels decreased by 4.8% (P < .001) and saturated fat intake decreased by 7.4% (P < .05). Regression analyses indicated that individuals more likely to have lowered saturated fat intake had higher pretest saturated fat intakes, had a family history of high blood cholesterol, and were light-maintenance employees (P < .05); no other variables were associated (receiving blood cholesterol test results, previous blood cholesterol test, pretest blood cholesterol levels, personal history of heart disease, BMI, age, gender, tobacco/alcohol use). Among subjects with normal cholesterol levels, those not receiving blood test results reduced saturated fat intake more than those receiving test results; both groups had similar saturated fat intakes (> 12%) greater than recommended intake (< 10%).


CONCLUSIONS
Screening programs should include an assessment of saturated fat intake as screening for blood cholesterol may provide normocholesterolemic subjects with a false sense of security.
Strychar
I M
IM
Research Centre Louis-Charles Simard, Notre-Dame Hospital, Montreal, Quebec.
Champagne
F
F
Ghadirian
P
P
Bonin
A
A
Jenicek
M
M
Lasater
T M
TM
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011792:Quebec; D012044:Regression Analysis
D002784:Cholesterol