Individualized counseling for a Healthy People 2010 diet results in surpassed fruit and vegetable intakes

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate adherence to two different diets that were implemented in a colon cancer prevention study. A total of 120 subjects were randomized to 6 months of individualized counseling for a Healthy Eating or a Mediterranean diet. The counseling was implemented starting with one face to face meeting with a registered dietitian followed by telephone counseling at the same intervals in both arms. A checklist was developed for assistance in meeting goals in both arms. The percentage of goals met in the two groups was similar with 87% of goals met in the Healthy Arm and 82% in the Mediterranean arm. Although the fruit and vegetable goals were lower in the Healthy arm, these goals were surpassed resulting in statistically similar fruit and vegetable intakes in the two groups (7.8 vs 8.1 servings/day). Carotenoid intakes and blood carotenoid levels also increased to similar extents in the two arms. These results indicate that individualized counseling for meeting Healthy People 2010 goals can result in better than expected compliance, resulting in carotenoid intakes similar to what can be achieved with a Mediterranean diet. Supported by grant NIH CA120381Grant Funding Source : NCI