Dietary quality 1 year after diagnosis of coronary heart disease.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this ancillary study is to determine the quality of diets in patients with documented coronary heart disease (CHD).


METHODS
Dietary data were originally collected using a 24-hour dietary recall in 555 patients with CHD, 1 year after a diagnostic coronary angiography. Data used for this investigation were collected between March 2001 and November 2003.


METHODS
Patients were participants in a clinical trial to improve adherence to lipid-lowering medications. The Alternate Healthy Eating Index, an instrument designed to evaluate the degree to which a diet has the potential to prevent cardiovascular disease, measured dietary quality.


METHODS
Linear regression models were used to assess the association of dietary quality with patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.


RESULTS
Mean age of participants was 61 years, with an average body mass index of 30 (calculated as kg/m(2)). Sixty percent were men. Average daily caloric intake was 1,775 kcal, with 50% of calories derived from carbohydrates, 18% from protein, and 32% from total fat. Average Alternate Healthy Eating Index score was 30.8 out of a possible maximum score of 80. Only 12.4% of subjects met the recommended consumption of vegetables, 7.8% for fruit, 8% for cereal fiber, and 5.2% for trans-fat intake. Lower dietary quality was associated with lower total caloric intake, as well as with smoking, obesity, and lower educational level.


CONCLUSIONS
A high proportion of patients reported poor dietary quality 1 year after experiencing a coronary event. Our data support continued efforts to enhance healthful dietary changes over time for secondary prevention of CHD. Dietary change should be emphasized with CHD patients who are less educated, smokers, or obese.
Ma
Yunsheng
Y
Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. Yunsheng.Ma@umassmed.edu
Li
Wenjun
W
Olendzki
Barbara C
BC
Pagoto
Sherry L
SL
Merriam
Philip A
PA
Chiriboga
David E
DE
Griffith
Jennifer A
JA
Bodenlos
Jamie
J
Wang
Yanli
Y
Ockene
Ira S
IS
D000792:Angiography; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents