Effects of Medical Nutrition Therapy on Food Habits and Serum Lipid Levels of Hypercholesterolemic Patients

ABSTRACT

Hypercholesterolemia has been regarded as a major risk factor of coronary heart disease(CHD). CHD is increasing in recent years among Koreans due to westernization of lifestyle and dietary behaviors. In the United States, implementation of the National Cholesterol Education Program(NCEP) had resulted 40% decline in mortality from CHD. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of medical nutrition therapy on serum lipid levels and discuss the effective nutrition education contents. Thirty outpatients(Male 40%, female 60%) with hypercholesterolemia were educated by medical nutrition therapy(MNT) protocol. At first visit and after three months of MNT, we assessed serum lipid profile, body weight and surveyed general characteristics, lifestyle and food habits through questionnaire. After 12 weeks of MNT, there were significant reductions in serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C). Foods habits and lifestyle were changed to the desirable patterns. These results indicate that lipid profile is improved by changes of dietary behaviors and lifestyle. Especially in case of obesity, cholesterol lowering effect of MNT was more powerful. Consequently, MNT is effective on reduction of serum lipids by behavior change in hypercholesterolemic patients.