A team-based 12-month lifestyle program for the treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS) (involving physicians, registered dietitians (RDs), and kinesiologists) was previously shown to reverse MetS in 19% of patients (95% confidence interval, 14% to 24%). This work evaluates changes in nutrient intake and diet quality over 12 months (n = 205). Individualized diet counselling was provided by 14 RDs at 3 centres. Two 24-h recalls, the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (HEI-C), and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) were completed at each time point. Total energy intake decreased by 145 ± 586 kcal (mean ± SD) over 3 months with an additional 76 ± 452 kcal decrease over 3–12 months. HEI-C improved from 58 ± 15 to 69 ± 12 at 3 months and was maintained at 12 months. Similarly, MDS (n = 144) improved from 4.8 ± 1.2 to 6.2 ± 1.9 at 3 months and was maintained at 12 months. Changes were specific to certain food groups, with increased intake of fruits, vegetables, and nuts and decreased intake of “other foods” and “commercial baked goods” being the most prominent changes. There was limited change in intake of olive oil, fish, and legumes. Exploratory analysis suggested that poorer diet quality at baseline was associated with greater dietary changes as assessed by HEI-C. Novelty Multiple dietary assessment tools provided rich information on food intake changes in an intervention for metabolic syndrome. Improvements in diet were achieved by 3 months and maintained to 12 months. The results provide a basis for further dietary change implementation studies in the Canadian context.

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Background Personalized diet counselling, as part of lifestyle change programs for cardiometabolic risk conditions (combinations of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and high waist circumference) has been shown to reduce progression to type 2 diabetes overall. To identify key process of care measures that could be linked to changes in diet, we undertook a secondary analysis of a Canadian pre-post study of lifestyle treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Diet counselling process measures were documented and association with diet quality changes after 3 months were assessed. Results of the primary study showed 19% reversal of MetS after 1 year. Methods Registered dietitians (RDs) reported on contact time, specific food behaviour goals (FBG), behaviour change techniques (BCT; adapted from the Michie CALO-RE taxonomy) and teaching resources at each contact. Diet quality was measured by 2005 Canadian Healthy Eating Index (HEI-C) and assessed for possible associations with individual BCT and FBG. Results Food behaviour goals associated with improved HEI-C at 3 months were: poultry more than red meat, increased plant protein, increased fish, increased olive oil, increased fruits and vegetables, eating breakfast, increased milk and alternatives, healthier fats, healthier snacks and increased nuts, with an adverse association noted for more use (> 2 times/ 3 months) of the balanced meal concept (F test; p < 0.001). Of 16 BCT, goal setting accounted for 15% of all BCT recorded, yet more goal setting (> 3 times/3 months) was associated with poorer HEI-C at 3 months (F test; p = 0.007). Only self-monitoring, feedback on performance and focus on past success were associated with improved HEI-C. Conclusions These results identify key aspects of process that impact diet quality. Documentation of both FBG and BCT is highly relevant in diet counselling and a summary diet quality score is a promising target for assessing short-term counselling success.

Background: Cardiometabolic conditions are a major and growing health burden in many countries. At least one-third of middle-aged adults with overweight and obesity develop various combinations of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and other cardiometabolic conditions. Currently, all relevant clinical and community guidelines recommend lifestyle (e.g. diet and physical activity) interventions, yet current evidence suggests limited and variable uptake by either primary care or public health services. New implementation research in lifestyle interventions is needed in multiple jurisdictions. As part of this effort, some agreement within the research community on priorities and core measures and indicators across studies would improve comparability and drive progress. Members of a new volunteer network undertook a first Delphi process to determine initial consensus.Methods: Network members were invited by email to participate and completed two rounds of a modified Delphi process delivered through online questionnaire and teleconferences. Results were sent back to participants at the end of each round of the survey. High priority with consensus was defined as the median and 25-75%ile range within the 7 to 9 range on a 9-point scale. Results: Fifty-three people were invited and provided with a link to the first questionnaire. Twenty-five (47%) and 18 (34%) participants completed the round 1 and round 2 surveys, respectively. Of 22 possible research priorities, four were rated high priority with consensus, including: evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions in place, improving existing interventions for sustainability, and clinical and public health research to advance existing knowledge to develop new capacities. Of the 93 measures and indicators proposed, 15 achieved consensus with an additional nine measures having high medians, but greater variance.Conclusions: This first effort suggests a wide range of research priorities within the group, but also broad agreement on a few core implementation research priorities. There is currently limited agreement on core indicators/measures for implementation studies and additional work is needed. The results provide a starting point for further development of common measures for implementation research in lifestyle interventions for cardiometabolic conditions.

Background: Personalized diet counselling, as part of lifestyle change programs for cardiometabolic risk conditions (combinations of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and high waist circumference) has been shown to reduce progression to type 2 diabetes overall. To identify key process of care measures that could be linked to changes in diet, we undertook a secondary analysis of a Canadian pre-post study of lifestyle treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Diet counselling process measures were documented and association with diet quality changes after 3 months were assessed. Results of the primary study showed 19% reversal of MetS after one year. Methods: Registered dietitians (RDs) reported on contact time, specific food behaviour goals (FBG), behaviour change techniques (BCT; adapted from the Michie CALO-RE taxonomy) and teaching resources at each contact. Diet quality was measured by 2005 Canadian Healthy Eating Index (HEI-C) and assessed for possible associations with individual BCT and FBG. Results: Food behaviour goals associated with improved HEI-C at 3 months were: poultry more than red meat, increased plant protein, increased fish, increased olive oil, increased fruits and vegetables, eating breakfast, increased milk and alternatives, healthier fats, healthier snacks and increased nuts, with an adverse association noted for more use (> 2 times/ 3 months) of the balanced meal concept (F test; p<0.001). Of 16 BCT, goal setting accounted for 15% of all BCT recorded, yet more goal setting (> 3 times/3 months) was associated with poorer HEI-C at 3 months (F test; p=0.007). Only self-monitoring, feedback on performance and focus on past success were associated with improved HEI-C. Conclusions: These results identify key aspects of process that impact diet quality. Documentation of both FBG and BCT is highly relevant in diet counselling and a summary diet quality score is a promising target for assessing short-term counselling success.