Multicenter randomized evaluation of a nutritional education software in obese patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of the nutritional education software, Nutri-Expert, in the management of obese adult patients.


METHODS
Two groups of obese patients were followed up over one year in a randomized study: the first group received close traditional management (seven nutritional visits over the year, with physicians and dietitians conjointly) and the second one also used at home by Minitel the Nutri-Expert system. 557 patients were enrolled in the study by 16 French centers of diabetology and nutrition. Body mass index (BMI), tests of dietetic knowledge, dietary records and centralized biological measurements were assessed at inclusion, 6 and 12 months. 341 patients were evaluable at the end of the year.


RESULTS
The group using Nutri-Expert scored significantly better in the tests of dietetic knowledge than the control group. For all patients, nutritional education led to a significant improvement in BMI, dietary records and biological measurements, without significant difference between the two groups. Five years after the end of the study, the weight of 148 patients was recorded; mean BMI was significantly lower than the initial value but there was no significant difference between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In the management of obese patients, Nutri-Expert system has a role to play in reinforcing nutritional knowledge; if regular follow-up is not possible, or if a large series of obese patients is to be treated, Nutri-Expert could partly replace traditional management, for example between visits.
Turnin
M C
MC
Service de Diabétologie, Maladies Métaboliques et Nutrition, CHU Rangueil, 31403 Toulouse, France. turnin.mc@chu-toulouse.fr
Bourgeois
O
O
Cathelineau
G
G
Leguerrier
A M
AM
Halimi
S
S
Sandre-Banon
D
D
Coliche
V
V
Breux
M
M
Verlet
E
E
Labrousse
F
F
Bensoussan
D
D
Grenier
J L
JL
Poncet
M F
MF
Tordjmann
F
F
Brun
J M
JM
Blickle
J F
JF
Mattei
C
C
Bolzonella
C
C
Buisson
J C
JC
Fabre
D
D
Tauber
J P
JP
Hanaire-Broutin
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015930:Diet Records; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D007328:Insulin