Beneficial effects of short-term nutritional counselling at the primary health-care level among Brazilian adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of a low-cost nutritional intervention in changing the lifestyle of adults.


METHODS
Randomised clinical trial.


METHODS
Primary health-care centre in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil.


METHODS
We randomly assigned 104 adults (83 women and 21 men aged 30-65 years, body mass index 24-35 kg m(-2), non-diabetic) into two groups: nutrition counselling and control. Each subject in the intervention group received three individualised nutritional counselling sessions during the first 6 months aimed at increasing intakes of fruits, vegetables and olive oil, reducing saturated fat and improving physical activity. Body composition, biochemical indicators and lifestyle were assessed at baseline and at 6 months and 1 year in both groups.


RESULTS
After 6 months of follow-up, body weight, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total and saturated fat, and dietary energy and cholesterol levels showed a more significant decrease among subjects in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in each intervention goal, such as reduced intake of saturated fat and increased intakes of fruits, vegetables, fibre and olive oil (P < 0.05). After 12 months of follow-up, most of the outcomes were maintained.


CONCLUSIONS
The low-cost nutritional intervention programme improved serum lipids profile and weight control, and appeared to be feasible for use at a primary health-care centre in a developing country.
Sartorelli
Daniela Saes
DS
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Dr Arnaldo 715, São Paulo, SP 01246-904, Brazil.
Sciarra
Elaine Cristina
EC
Franco
Laércio Joel
LJ
Cardoso
Marly Augusto
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D001938:Brazil; D003376:Counseling / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation