CONCEPTUAL-MODEL FOR DIETARY CHANGE TO LOWER SERUM-CHOLESTEROL

A naturalistic, qualitative research design was used to explore hyperc holesterolemic adults' experiences with cholesterol-lowering dietary c hange, with the goal of generating theory-building constructs about di etary change. Each of fifteen hypercholesterolemic clients of an outpa tient nutrition counseling program participated in three semi-structur ed interviews about their food-related ideas and practices over a four -month period. Five components of cholesterol-lowering dietary change emerged from the data: knowing and finding out, making and using a gam e plan, eating foods, managing food settings, and checking up. These c omponents represented the cognitive and behavioral aspects of particip ants' dietary change experiences. Each component was characterized by dimensions that highlighted the variation among the participants. The components were arranged in a model that emphasized their mutually sha ping relationships. The model provides a framework for understanding a nd organizing the processes involved in cholesterol-lowering dietary c hange, and offers direction to both practitioners and researchers inte rested in improving interventions to promote dietary change.