Web-Based Nutrition Counselling for Heart Health
Author Information
Author(s): Marieke Verheijden, J Carel Bakx, Reinier Akkermans, Henk van den Hoogen, N Marshall Godwin, Walter Rosser, Wija van Staveren, Chris van Weel
Primary Institution: Queen's University
Hypothesis
A Web-based nutrition counselling and social support program would lead to improved clinical outcomes in patients who used the program.
Conclusion
The study showed no favorable effects of the Web-based intervention on social support, anthropometry, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol.
Supporting Evidence
- Only 33% of patients in the intervention group used the Heartweb tool.
- There were no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes between the intervention and control groups.
- Most participants were already in the maintenance stage of change at baseline.
Takeaway
The study tried to help people eat healthier using a website, but not many people used it, and it didn't help them get healthier.
Methodology
A randomized controlled trial was conducted among patients with increased cardiovascular risk in Canadian family practices, comparing usual care with access to a Web-based nutrition counselling tool.
Limitations
Low uptake of the intervention with only 33% of participants using the Web-based tool, and no reliable dietary intake data were available.
Participant Demographics
55% male, mean age 63 years, with varying levels of medication use for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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