Sociodemographic and psychological predictors of changes in dietary fat consumption in adults with high blood cholesterol following counseling in primary care

The associations between sociodemographic variables, psychological factors, and changes in dietary fat consumption over 4 months were assessed in a ra ndomized controlled trial of behavioral counseling versus standard advice. Patients were 141 men and 150 women, with an average age of 52.1 years and total cholesterol level of 7.27 mmol/l (278 mg/dl). Smokers, younger patien ts, and those with greater body mass index had higher fat intake at baselin e. Behavioral counseling led to greater reductions in fat intake than did s tandard advice. Self-efficacy and ratings of benefits of low-fat diets were related to fat consumption at baseline, and changes in these measures were correlated with changes in fat intake. Family support, baseline anticipate d regret, and (for the behavioral counseling group only) baseline behaviora l intentions predicted reductions in fat intake. The results indicated that psychosocial variables associated cross-sectionally with fat consumption d o not necessarily predict change and that factors involved in the process o f change and the prediction of change need to be differentiated.