Adherence in a 1-year whole foods eating pattern intervention with healthy postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the degree of dietary adherence or change in eating patterns, and demographic, psychosocial and study characteristics associated with adherence, in the Comparing Healthy Options in Cooking and Eating (CHOICE) Study.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial where women were randomized to one of three eating patterns: (i) Whole Foods, plant-based, macrobiotic-style (n 22); and Moderate Fat with (ii), and without (iii), 10 g of ground flaxseed added daily, which were combined (n 49).


METHODS
A year-long intervention based on social cognitive theory, consisting of twenty-four class sessions involving hands-on cooking classes and behavioural sessions. Monthly 24 h food recalls were obtained and a psychosocial questionnaire was administered at baseline, 6 and 12 months.


METHODS
Healthy, free-living, postmenopausal women.


RESULTS
A non-adherence score measuring all food servings out-of-compliance with eating pattern recommendations was specifically designed for the present study. Non-adherence scores decreased significantly (P < 0·05) in both groups to about 65 % during the adoption phase (first 4 months) and remained so during the 8-month maintenance period. Class attendance of the Moderate Fat group showed a trend towards significance as a predictor of adherence (P = 0·063). None of the other predictors (e.g. demographic and psychosocial factors) in a longitudinal regression model were significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Postmenopausal women were able to adopt and maintain significant changes in their eating patterns, including those on a demanding, near-vegetarian eating plan, suggesting that behavioural interventions with a healthy free-living population can be effective. The non-adherence score developed for the study provides an example of a means for evaluating eating pattern adherence to a dietary intervention.
1Program in Nutrition,Box 137,Department of Health and Behavior Studies,Teachers College,Columbia University,525 West 120th Street,New York,NY 10027,USA.
Nancy Champe
NC
Peters
1Program in Nutrition,Box 137,Department of Health and Behavior Studies,Teachers College,Columbia University,525 West 120th Street,New York,NY 10027,USA.
Isobel R
IR
Contento
2Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine,College of Physicians and Surgeons,Columbia University,New York,NY,USA.
Fredi
F
Kronenberg
2Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine,College of Physicians and Surgeons,Columbia University,New York,NY,USA.
Marci
M
Coleton
D003296:Cooking; D004032:Diet; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017698:Postmenopause; D012016:Reference Values
D004041:Dietary Fats