title: The effects of the DASH diet education program with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on metabolic syndrome parameters in elderly women with abdominal obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the overall effects of a tailored Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) nutritional intervention program which included omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, on dietary self-efficacy, dietary knowledge, and dietary behaviors in Korean elderly women with abdominal obesity. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of the program on metabolic syndrome parameters including the antioxidant capacities in these subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, controlled trial was conducted for 8 weeks. The experimental group (n = 21) received a weekly tailored nutritional program for 8 weeks and the control group (n = 18) received only one educational session. The clinical survey was conducted before and after the intervention period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the intervention, dietary self-efficacy (P = 0.023), frequency of fruit intake (P = 0.019), and dietary fiber intake (P = 0.044) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The oxidative stress (P < 0.001) was lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Moreover, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P = 0.023) had significantly decreased in the experimental group but not in the control group after the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention program including omega-3 fatty acid supplementation had a positive effect on dietary self-efficacy, dietary behaviors, and oxidative stress among aged women with abdominal obesity.
authors: Department of Nursing Science, Suwon University, Gyeonggi 445-743, Korea.
authors: Seung-Hye
authors: SH
authors: Choi
authors: College of Nursing & The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongro-Gu, Seoul 110-799, Korea.
authors: Smi
authors: S
authors: Choi-Kwon
keywords: Self efficacy; metabolic syndrome; nutrition; women