BMI change in Australian cardiac rehabilitation patients: cookery skills intervention versus written information

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are common health risks, but it can be difficult to effect weight change. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a novel Cookery skills intervention on body mass index (BMI) in overweight and obese patients with cardiovascular disease, who had previously attended a cardiac rehabilitation programme. Patients with BMI >27 kg/m(2) were randomized to either a 5-week cookery skills course with written educational materials, or to written materials only. Questionnaires on lifestyle risk factors and food frequencies were administered at baseline, 6 and 24 months. The primary outcome in an intention-to-treat analysis was a change in BMI at 6 months. Secondary outcome was a change in BMI at 24 months. Changes in macronutrient consumption were examined in both analysis of covariance and repeated measures ANOVA models. Of the 172 patients, 116 (67.4%) patients consented to participate in the study. The intervention was found to be well accepted and attended by the patients (70.5% of patients in the intervention group attended the sessions). Whilst both intervention and control groups were noted to have a small reduction in BMI, there was no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant group effect noted for any change in macronutrient consumption at 6- or 24-month follow-up. This pilot study of a novel cookery skills project was well accepted amongst this population. Although the majority of participants had a net loss in BMI, the cookery skills intervention was not associated with any change in BMI beyond that achieved by written information alone.

Behavioral Weight Loss Interventions for Overweight and Obese Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients: A Systematic Review

“…21,[32][33][34][35][36] The BWL interventions in the other 4 studies were implemented for CR participants completed after the completion of phase 2 outpatient CR. [37][38][39][40]…”

“…33 A commercial weight management program (Weight Watchers ® ) was implemented during one CR program for obese CR participants. 34 40 The other three studies implemented BWL interventions ranging from 12 weeks to 9 months in duration following phase 2 outpatient CR. 37,38,41 Both the Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships Nutrition (LEARN) 37 and Extensive Lifestyle Management Intervention (ELMI) 41 programs were conducted in person, versus delivering the BWL intervention using telehealth.…”

Our Whole Lives for Hypertension and Cardiac Risk Factors—Combining a Teaching Kitchen Group Visit With a Web-Based Platform: Feasibility Trial (Preprint)

“…There is very little research on the use of teaching kitchen or culinary skills as an intervention to reduce blood pressure [64][65][66]. In a study by Razavi et al [67], families living in New Orleans, Louisiana, were randomized to a hands-on teaching kitchen culinary education class or non-kitchen-based dietary counseling for 6 weeks.…”