RELATIONSHIP OF SELF-EFFICACY TO CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING AND DIETARY CHANGE IN HYPERLIPIDEMIA

This study examined whether self-efficacy was associated with lipid lo wering and dietary change among men undergoing dietary counseling to l ower cholesterol levels. Twenty-five hyperlipidemic men (total cholest erol greater than or equal to 220 mg/dL) participated in four weeks of dietary instruction. Plasma lipids were measured prior to treatment, at posttreatment, and at three- and twelve-month follow-up. Dietary in take and self-efficacy as measured by the revised Eating Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES-R) were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and thre e-month follow-up. Pretreatment to posttreatment increases in self-eff icacy in situations characterized by negative affect were related to e xtent of lipid lowering and dietary change. Although subjects showed s ignificant reductions in cholesterol levels following treatment, by on e year, lipid levels had returned to pretreatment values. Factors rela ted to long-term maintenance of dietary change and lipid lowering amon g hyperlipidemics merit further research.