IMPACT OF RECEIVING BLOOD CHOLESTEROL TEST-RESULTS ON DIETARY CHANGE

Introduction: The study objective was to determine the impact of recei ving results of a blood cholesterol test on changes in dietary behavio rs among individuals participating in a Health Risk Appraisal Program. Methods: This randomized trial of maintenance employees at six hospit als included two groups: Group 1 received their blood cholesterol test results at the pretest; Group 2 received results only at the posttest (16-20 weeks later). The pretest interview included (1) a 24-hour die tary recall; (2) an evaluation of dietary behaviors and suggestions on how to change; (3) height, weight, and blood cholesterol measurement. Five hundred employees participated, and 429 eligible employees compl eted both pretest and posttest interviews. Results: Blood cholesterol levels decreased by 4.8% (P < .001) and saturated fat intake decreased by 7.4% (P < .05). Regression analyses indicated that individuals mor e likely to have lowered saturated fat intake had higher pretest satur ated fat intakes, had a family history of high blood cholesterol, and were light-maintenance employees (P <.05); no other variables were ass ociated (receiving blood cholesterol test results, previous blood chol esterol test, pretest blood cholesterol levels, personal history of he art disease, BMI, age, gender, tobacco/alcohol use). Among subjects wi th normal cholesterol levels, those not receiving blood test results r educed saturated fat intake more than those receiving test results; bo th groups had similar saturated fat intakes (>12%) greater than recomm ended intake (<10%). Conclusions: Screening programs should include an assessment of saturated fat intake as screening for blood cholesterol may provide normocholesterolemic subjects with a false sense of secur ity.