THE EFFECT OF DIETARY INTERVENTION ON CHANGES IN TOTAL CHOLESTEROL, BLOOD-PRESSURE AND WEIGHT IN A CAMBRIDGE STUDY

The study examined the impact of dietary advice on cholesterol reducti on, to see whether diet was more effective when preceded by a choleste rol estimation. A total of 635 healthy individuals aged between 40 and 60 years attended a general practice cardiovascular risk screening in 1990. All subjects had their blood pressure, body mass index and smok ing history recorded, and 50% were randomised to cholesterol measureme nt. Two years later, all individuals were invited to participate in a follow-up screening and 356 individuals took part (158 men, 198 women) . All the above estimations were undertaken in 100% of attendees. The mean total cholesterol levels and weight declined in the subjects who were given dietary advice and had their cholesterol measured, while th e mean cholesterol level increased slightly in subjects who did not re ceive dietary advice but had their cholesterol measured. There was a s ignificant increase in diastolic blood pressure in all patients. The f igures for reported smokers decreased from 22.4% to 19.4%, in men and 19.4% to 8.4% in women. The results suggest that dietary advice can ac hieve a sustained reduction in cholesterol levels, but may require the stimulus of a prior cholesterol estimation.