Social support is inversely associated with heart disease risk. Suppor
t may influence heart disease by encouraging health behavior change in
high-risk individuals. This study examined the association between sp
ouse support and maintenance of low-fat diets in men with hypercholest
erolemia. Participants were 254 men enrolled in a 24-month randomized
trial of lipid-lowering diets initiated in 1985 in Seattle, Washington
. The Evaluation of Spouse Support, which assesses the extent to which
spouses supported maintenance of lipid-lowering diets, was administer
ed after the last of eight dietary classes and at 3, 12, and 24 months
postinstruction. Attainment of dietary goals was determined from food
records completed at the end of the class and at 3, 12, and 24 months
. Compared with those in the lowest quartile, those in the highest qua
rtile of support were more likely to attain dietary goals at 3 months
(odds ratio (OR) = 4.5, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.9-10.4), 12 mon
ths (OR = 5.5, 95% Cl 2.4-12.5), and 24 months (OR = 3.9, 95% Cl 1.7-9
.3). Support was not associated with end-of-class dietary goal achieve
ment. Social support may be an important factor in the maintenance of
low-fat diets.