The impact of a population-based multi-factorial lifestyle intervention on changes in long-term dietary habits: the Inter99 study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a population-based multi-factorial lifestyle intervention on long-term changes in dietary habits compared to a non-intervention control group.


METHODS
The study was a randomized controlled lifestyle intervention study, Inter99 (1999-2006), Copenhagen, Denmark, using a high-risk strategy. Participants in the intervention group (n=6 091) had at baseline a medical health-examination and a face-to-face lifestyle counselling. Individuals at high risk of ischemic heart disease were repeatedly offered both individual and group-based counselling. The control group (n=3 324) was followed by questionnaires. Dietary habits were measured by a validated 48-item food frequency questionnaire and changes were analyzed by multilevel analyses.


RESULTS
At the 5-year follow-up the intervention group compared to the control group had significantly increased their intake of vegetables (men: net-change: 23 g/week; p=0.04; women: net-change: 27 g/week; p=0.005) and decreased the intake of highly saturated fats used on bread and for cooking (men: OR=0.59 (0.41-0.86); women: OR=0.42 (0.30-0.59)). Significant effects on fruit and fish intake were found at the 3-year follow-up but the effect attenuated at the 5-year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
A population-based multi-factorial lifestyle intervention promoted significant greater beneficial long-term dietary changes compared to the control group, especially the intake of vegetables and saturated fat was improved.
Toft
Ulla
U
Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup University Hospital, Building 84/85, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark.
Kristoffersen
Lis
L
Ladelund
Steen
S
Ovesen
Lars
L
Lau
Cathrine
C
Borch-Johnsen
Knut
K
Pisinger
Charlotta
C
Jørgensen
Torben
T
D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark; D004041:Dietary Fats; D037001:Directive Counseling; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014675:Vegetables
D004041:Dietary Fats